THE PIPE at 2011 RIFF

THE PIPE!

When director Risteard O'Domhnaill (aka Richie O'Donnell) accepted his award for the RIFF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD in Reykjavik on October 01, 2011, Richie stood up confidently in front of hundreds thanking the RIFF jury and voters for his 'puffin statue of aluminum'. He had the whole crowd in stitches with his witty humor and singsong/rolling Irish accent.

The film has held a successful run as yet, festival hopping for over a year now with a sweet final triumph at RIFF. While Richie is a genuine and approachable guy, he is Irish and few come as hotblooded and passionate when it comes to human rights and politics. And that is exactly what is going on now in the community of Rossport in West Ireland where they fight the SHELL corporation against oil drilling and pipelining to keep their ancient lands from the destruction of irreversible pollution. But this proves an almost impossible debate... for in countries where money is king... Clearly SHELL and other big industry just do whatever the hell they want for profit without thought or care to environment or quality of life. No wonder the locals are fuming! Whenever people ask what they can do to change things, well, this film is a prime example. If it doesn't shake you to the core or move you into action at the very least it will educate and shake things up.

Written by Vanessa McMahon October 02, 2011

photos by Vanessa McMahon

director Risteard O'Domhnaill (aka Richie O'Donnell)

RIFF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Irish director’s Risteard Ó Domhnaill’s THE PIPE, a story of a small Irish community divided by the prospect of a oil pipeline that will bring economic gains but also destroy their way of life.

Jury Statement

“Risteard Ó Domhnail's way of telling the story is powerful, yet simple. It contains all the good elements of a classic cinema. In the spirit of Cinema Verité he brings forth few but strong characters to lead the story forward, the style is effortless and clear. Although a local story from a remote area it speaks to us in a bigger context.The Pipe is a film that talks to our times and has a rendezvous with the future. ”

Special Jury Mention: “Eco Pirate: The Paul Watson Story is an epic tale of a one man’s struggle against the exploitation of the oceans, and at the same time provides a unique observation of four decades of the environmental movement Greenpeace. The film is a traditional documentary that deals with its subject matter with profound care, well balanced structure and historical subplots”

RIFF official press release.

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