Lipservice

Lipservice

20 mins | April 16, 1999

The Oral Irish, a compulsory language exam dreaded by secondary school students, is the subject of this short directed by Paul Mercier. In a Dublin school, an examiner (Sean McGinley) meets a variety of students to test their proficiency in the Irish language. He encounters low levels of fluency but impressive levels of bravado as memorised answers are regurgitated with more gusto than comprehension. The process soon becomes a test not just for the students but for his patience. He has just about given up hope when he encounters a troubled young man (Barry Ward) with a firm grasp of the language but little interest in the exam. The film provides a vivid reminder of state exams and Irish school life while packing a memorable emotional punch. (Taken from IFI website)

Lipservice

20 mins | April 16, 1999

Lipservice
The Oral Irish, a compulsory language exam dreaded by secondary school students, is the subject of this short directed by Paul Mercier. In a Dublin school, an examiner (Sean McGinley) meets a variety of students to test their proficiency in the Irish language. He encounters low levels of fluency but impressive levels of bravado as memorised answers are regurgitated with more gusto than comprehension. The process soon becomes a test not just for the students but for his patience. He has just about given up hope when he encounters a troubled young man (Barry Ward) with a firm grasp of the language but little interest in the exam. The film provides a vivid reminder of state exams and Irish school life while packing a memorable emotional punch. (Taken from IFI website)
Producers
Original title Lipservice
Directors Paul Mercier
Writers Paul Mercier

Cast

Sean McGinley

as Mairtin O Cathain

Barry Ward

as Darren O Murchu

Karl Quinn

as Tadhg Mac Diarmada

Joan Sheehy

as Caitlin Ni Shuilleabhain

Bríd Ní Neachtain

as Sile Ni Chinneide

Máire Ní Mháille

as Maire Ni Ghrada

Mick Nolan

as Feighli

Garrett Keogh

as Príomhoide

Eimear Lindsay

as Sandra

Dominic Anglim

as Boy who speaks French

Phillip McMahon

as Jason