James Connolly biopic to be made in 2007

A €20 million biopic of James Connolly, focusing on the events of Easter Week 1916, is due to start filming in spring 2007 with or without a promised investment from the Government.

Connolly will depict the union leader's political and military exploits and his relationship with his young family. The title role will be played by Scottish actor Peter Mullan, who directed Magdalene Sisters, with Susan Lynch playing Lillie Connolly and Patrick Bergin as Jim Larkin. The film will be directed by actor Adrian Dunbar.

The Government is yet to make good on commitments to help the project into production. The film's producers hope this will change in the wake of the Cannes success of Ken Laoch's Wind that Shakes the Barley. This Irish-UK-Italian-German-Spanish co-production is likely to once more spark international interest in Irish history of the revolutionary period.

Co-producer Tom Stokes said: "We have spoken to both Bertie Ahern and John O'Donoghue on this, as well as the main Opposition parties who ... agree with the proposition that the State should help with this... Unlike other films that are said to be Irish but are funded by foreign studios, this is the foundation narrative of an independent Ireland and we feel it must go out into the world as an Irish film."

The producers are still waiting for details on if and when the Government will back the project. Several trade unions in Ireland and Britain have committed funding, including a "sizeable" contribution from SIPTU. There are also a large number of private investors. Profits will be invested in a Connolly Foundation for Learning.

Scott Millar