Black comedy about drinking and relationships.

The bar flies prepare for the big day with betting, boozing and banter. But will best man Billy break more than his ma’s heart before the wedding?

This award-winning drama set in Derry reflects the ordinary ways drinking affects friendships and marriages. It stars Seamus Ball as hapless best man and confirmed bachelor Billy. Described by Alexander Walker as a ‘boyo who tries to drag his marrying pal back from the alter into the drinking circle’s celibacy’. What will happen as Billy stirs up the marital troubles, misunderstandings and regrets that brew in the tension between the pull of the pub and the plea to come home?

 

Writer and director Joe Mahon began his career as an English and History teacher before launching his own production company. He has been the beloved presenter of UTV’s Lesser Spotted Ulster for over a decade. Another Derry teacher by trade, this film’s producer Terence Mc Donald was an innovative and prolific amateur filmmaker. His remarkable body of work includes sensitive documentaries, dystopian fiction, slapstick comedy and promotional films for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Northern Ireland Resurgence Trust. The Best Man is just one of many gems by Fairview Films that you can watch on the BFI Player. This material is courtesy of his son Peter Mc Donald.

Digitised as part of Unlocking Film Heritage

A Fairview Films production

Sponsored by D.H.S.S. (N.I.)

Written and Directed by Joe Mahon

Produced by Terence Mc Donald

Camera and Editing by Terence Mc Donald

Music by Eamonn Friel

Starring: Seamus Ball (Billy), Mairead Mullan, Jean Flagherty, Michael McGowan

• Britain on Film
• BFI Player