WestEnd Films, via ScreenDaily, has released the first look at Carmel Winters’ new feature drama Float Like a Butterfly, which they will be attempting to sell to international territories at the American Film Market this week.
Set in 1960’s/70’s Ireland, the film stars Hazel Doupe (Into the Badlands, Michael Inside) and Dara Devaney (Grace Harte, An Klondike) in the leads of Frances and Michael respectively. The story sees Frances, a young Irish Traveller, fighting for the right to pursue her passion…boxing. She is determined to make her idol Muhammad Ali proud, as well as her father who has recently been released from prison. But when she wants to show him just how tough she is, she soon comes to realise he’s got other plans for her.
The cast also includes a host of talented new and established Irish screen actors, including Lalor Roddy (Maze, Michael Inside), Hilda Fay (Fair City, Kisses), Aidan O’Hare (Resistance, Maze), Lisa Lambe (Olive, Bachelor’s Walk), Aaron Monaghan (Striking Out, Maze), and introducing Johnny Collins.
Float Like a Butterfly has been long gestating for writer/director Winters. Her debut feature, Snap, was released in 2011 and won awards both home and abroad, including Best Film and Best Director from the Dublin Critic’s Circle at the Dublin International Film Festival. In the interim, she has worked in theatre and was Film Artist in Residence (Screenwriter) from 2014 to 2015 at University College Cork.
The film is produced by Martina Niland and David Collins for Port Pictures and Samson Films and co-produced by Cathleen Dore. It has received financial support from the Irish Film Board and The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Post-production is currently taking place at Egg Post Production with editor Julian Ulrichs (Sing Street). DoP on the film is Michael Lavelle (Patrick’s Day).
Even more so since his death, Muhammad Ali remains a powerful and timeless symbol of the Champion of the Underdog. It feels timely that now on our screens we will see a young Irish Traveller girl, Francis, take on the mantle of his legacy with her own gut-wrenching and ultimately jubilant story.
Carmel Winters, Director