Production has started on a new road trip film that will travel to the hills of Donegal.
Baile will be filmed in Donegal and locations across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Moira and Tyrella Beach.
The story follows Bríghid, a fiercely independent woman in the early stages of dementia, played by Marion O’Dwyer (The Quiet Girl), and a young cleaner Naomi played by Hazel Doupe (Say Nothing).
When Bríghid hires Naomi to drive her from Belfast to her childhood home in County Donegal, their unlikely friendship takes them on an unexpected adventure.
This road trip movie tells the story of two women at opposite ends of life. It explores friendship, independence, the meaning of home, and what it means to not lose sight of who you are when faced with change.
Baile, co-commissioned for TG4 and BBC Gaeilge, is produced by Belfast based Village Films with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.
Baile is the third project to be commissioned through Gealán – the feature film initiative from TG4, BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.
Doineann, produced by DoubleBand Films was the first project commissioned through this collaborative initiative, and Aontas produced by Púca Pictures was the second.
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Baile is commissioned by Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor for TG4 and Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland . It is produced and directed by Aideen Hand and co-directed by Paul Kenenedy for Village Films. It has been written by Cristina Carty.
Aideen Hand, Producer, Village Films says: “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing Baile into production. It’s a moving and deeply human story about memory, friendship and the unexpected connections that can transform our lives, told predominantly through the Irish language.
“We have assembled a wonderful cast led by Hazel Doupe and Marion O’Dwyer to bring screenwriter Christina Carty’s characters to life, and we’re grateful to BBC Northern Ireland, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund for supporting an ambitious film that feels both distinctly local and genuinely universal.”