Sands film sets box office record

By Evan Short

A film about IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands has broken Irish box office records after opening last weekend.

“Bobby Sands: 66 Days” has enjoyed the highest viewing figures at the Irish box office for an Irish-made documentary, taking in over €50,933.

The documentary was shown in 25 cinemas throughout Ireland, with more people watching the Sands’ film than some of the summer blockbusters that are currently in movie theaters.

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Jailed in 1977 for 14 years, Sands went on to lead the 1981 hunger strike in the H-Blocks, this to be recognized as a political prisoner.

During his fast he was elected as Member of Parliament for Fermanagh/South Tyrone.

Directed by Belfast award-winning documentary maker Brendan J Byrne, “Bobby Sands: 66 Days” tells the story of the dramatic events of the hunger strikes which caught the world’s attention both inside and outside the prison.

Sands was 27-years-old when he died after 66 days of refusing food.

He became one of nine other IRA and INLA prisoners who lost their lives during that traumatic year.

Byrne uses a trove of archive, testimonials and Sands’ own personal diaries to tell the story of the turbulent 66 days in a diary-like format combined with footage to portray a timeline of the ongoing events that dominated the time.

Patrick O’Neill, managing director of Wildcard Distribution, which released the film, said the first weekend’s viewing figures were “a great achievement” and “very rewarding for everyone at Fine Point.”

 

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