Classic film to be screened at The Giant's Ring on 17th September 2016
Acclaimed as the “Citizen Kane of horror movies”, 1973’s The Wicker Man has transcended the world of film to scorch its mark on the wider culture. Directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward as the buttoned-up Calvinist policeman dispatched to the remote island of Summerisle to search for a missing girl, and Christopher Lee as the suave archfiend lording it over his wayward pagan flock, The Wicker Man is a true cult classic. It has inspired music videos and video games, spawned a festival, stage adaptation and, in 2006, an enjoyably bad remake starring the never-knowingly understated Nicolas Cage – “oh no, not the bees, not the bees!” – and been referenced in everything from The Simpsons to The League of Gentlemen. In short, The Wicker Man is one of the great films.
And what better location to watch a tale of dubious pagan practices than The Giant’s Ring? The henge site, with its Megalithic tomb, dominates the Lagan Valley Regional Park from its isolated sandy plateau caught in a loop of the River Lagan. It is believed to be a site of druid rituals and ancient ceremonies.
The feature screening by the Belfast Film Festival will be preceded by footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive. Focusing on the theme of curious folk traditions, these clips will include material newly digitised as part of the BFI’s Unlocking Film Heritage project. To make it even more evocative, there will also be a performance by celebrated folk ensemble, The Armagh Rhymers, whilst award-winning weaver Bob Johnston will be on hand to create miniature straw men and willow masks.
Tickets £12, can be purchased here.
Please note ticket price includes transport by bus to the site.
Fancy Dress strongly encouraged!