'Laughter Club' Sure To Get Smiles All Round On TG4

Cumann a’ Gháire or The Laughter Club, one of the most unusual and hilarious documentaries in recent years, has finished post-production and is now awaiting broadcast by TG4 and will be screened at film festivals all across Ireland and abroad.
The film features the real life story of the arrival of an Indian laughter guru to the Donegal Gaeltacht.
This documentary gives a hilarious and fascinating insight into gurus, their followers and what happens when they crash headlong into rural Ireland.
The film was produced and directed by Ronan McCloskey and edited by Gerard Brady, who runs post-production company, Offline Central.
McCloskey commented: "We heard about the guru’s visit only three weeks in advance of his arrival. We contacted TG4 who confirmed an interest in the project and then contacted the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission who ultimately became the main backer of the film.”
The film was backed by the NIFTC reflecting its support for independent filmmaking from Northern Ireland producers and directors.
Hilariously funny and intellectually engaging throughout, it explores realities often viewed as too outside the mainstream by Irish broadcasters. McCloskey hopes that this will open a long working relationship with the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, who he praises as being warmly supportive and professional throughout.
The film received its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh 2006, which was the first time that the production team were able to see how it would be received by a large audience. Thankfully the film went down a storm and it is currently being scheduled at other festivals including Dublin’s Stranger than Fiction festival.
McCloskey added: “Ultimately we hope that this film will travel all over the world. We have also now received an offer of distribution funding from the NIFTC and we intend to bring this film to as wide an international audience as possible.”
The film has been described as ‘unbelievable’ and ‘hysterical’ by almost everyone who has seen it. It certainly is ‘unforgettable’ and for the filmmakers a unique opportunity to capture the clash of very different worlds.
(DS)