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Title: IS MISE AN TEANGA = I AM THE TONGUE

Reference number: 8036

Date: 2003

Director: d. Murray Grigor

Sponsor: Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, Scottish Screen National Lottery, Bord Scannan na hEireann in association with BBC Alba and Radio Telefis Eireann

Producer: Cassandra McGrogan

Production company: Viz with Flying Fox Films

Sound: sound

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 84.48 mins

Description: Is Mise an Teanga is about Gaelic, its contemporary poets and their encounters with 100 visual artists in The Great Book of Gaelic - a Book of Kells for our time. Is Mise an Teanga is a living portrait of a language in flux [English subtitles] [synopsis from VHS sleeve notes]

Subtitled AN LEABHAR MOR (The Great Book of Gaelic).

See also website for further background at http://www.en.gaelic-arts.com/great-book-of-gaelic [last accessed 15/2/2010]

Leabhar Mor Na Gaidhlig (The Great Book of Gaelic) ISBN 1841952494 is published by Canongate Books.

Credits: w. and narr. Kevin Anderson
ph. Conor Hammond and Seamas McGarvey BSC
film sd. Allan Young
lighting Steve Arthur, Dermot Coleman, Giancarlo McDonnell, Davey Bates
p. ass. Iaonna Anderson
p. accounts Susan Freeman
addit. studio sd. David Murricane
sd. dubbing John Cobban
ed. Cassandra McGrogan
online ed. Mark Huskisson, Berg Saetre
m. Rab Purves - fiddle, Dugald B. MacNeill - pibroch, John Cobban and John Higgins
translators Behag Moireasdean, Kirsty Campbell
digital rostrum John Butler
Is Mis an Teanga calligraphers Frances Breen, Reitlin Murphy, Donald Murray
graphics Teresa Monachino
co-producer Catherine Gifford, Flying Fox Films
commissioning exec. John Alick MacPherson, Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig; Rod Stoneman, Bord Scannan na hEireann; Steve McIntyre, Scottish Screen; Ishbel MacLennan, BBC Scotland

additional readings Is acher in gath in-nocht John Murray; Scel Lem Duib Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh; Mairi Iain Mhurch' Chaluim Anna Frater; Twittering by Rody Gorman Simon MacKenzie; An Carraig by Michael O Conghaile Cathal O Searcaigh; An Lon Dubh Trad. read and arr. Gearoid MacLochlainn; o ghrunnd na mara performed by tomorrowscope; Teanga Eile and Aistriuchain © Gearoid MacLochlainn (Stream of Tongues, Clo lar-Chonnachta)

Extracts 'Checkmate' and 'Am Faigh an Cowboy Bas' by John Murray performed by The Point Players - Domhnall Greumach, Marisa NicDhomhnaill, Domhnall Mac a'Ghobhainn, Domhnall Iain MacLeoid, Nan S. NicLeoid, Norma NicSuain

Artists K. Boucher Beug, J. Breen, W. Brotherstone, C. Colvin, O. Comerford, B. Connelly, B. Crozier, A. Davie, R. de Fouw, S. Dilworth, R. Duffy, B. Flannery, A. Gray, M. Gillen, J. Harvey, O. Hyndland, I. Joyce, S. Kilgour, C. Langan, A. MacLeod, S. Lawson, P. Looby, B. Maguire, C. Mackay, S. MacLean, W. MacLean, A. McLennan, N. MacPherson, H. O'Leary, D. O'Mahony Hutchison, M. Payne, E. Summerton, D. Quinn, G. Wyllie
Copyright of each contribution rests with the authors and artists

With special thanks to Malcolm MacLean, Mairi S. NicLeoid, Marisa NicDhomhnaill and all at Proiseact nan Ealan; Margaret McKelvie (CCG); Aodan MacPoilin, the Ultach Trust; Iomairt Chaluim Chille / Iomairt Cholm Cille; Canongate Press; Armagh County Council; An Culturlann MacAdam O'Fiach; Beal Feirste; Cupla Focal; Bray; ARC Facilities, Glasgow

In memory of Joanne Breen.

© Viz Ltd. MMIII

Shotlist: They say the Irish and the Scots are like Greeks born in the rain. We've reached the 21st century with an ancient language and literature by resistance, accident and stubbornness. We make great poems in languages that some think are dead and several think should be dead. We make mad music sanely, talk as though talk were important and write as though eternity were listening.

Is Mise an Teanga is about Gaelic, its contemporary poets and their encounters with 100 visual artists in The Great Book of Gaelic - a Book of Kells for our time.

The film travels the territory - from Outer Hebrides to Inner Dublin, to Connemara, and the streets of West Belfast and Glasgow. We meet a group of quietly extraordinary poets encountering the world of the contemporary artist.

Is Mise an Teanga is a living portrait of a language in flux.
[synopsis from VHS sleeve notes]