On Friday June 8, the Belfast Film Festival hosted the second of its three Gala Screenings as the locally-produced film ‘Jump’ premiered to a packed crowd at the Dublin Road Movie House. Starring Nichola Burley (‘StreetDance 3D’), Martin McCann (“The Pacific”), Charlene McKenna (“Raw”), Richard Dormer (‘Good Vibrations’) and Lalor Roddy (“Game of Thrones”), ‘Jump’ follows several characters on New Year’s Eve in Derry, Northern Ireland, as they weave in and out of each others lives, all ultimately impacting the film’s main protagonist Greta, played beautifully by Burley. Director Kieron J. Walsh does a great job bringing effective moments of comedy to an otherwise dark, introspective tale, but ‘Jump”s main success is in painting Northern Ireland in a light rarely seen before on screen or at this festival.

Toonari Post previously reviewed ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Shadow Dancer’, both of which were entertaining in their own rights but which still situated their narratives in relation to the well-documented social and political conflict of Northern Ireland’s past. ‘Jump’, however, tells personal stories through themes which could translate to any city and any festival. Depression, grief, greed, hope: Walsh brings all of these to life thanks to a moving score and Steve Brookes’ well-balanced screenplay.

The film begins with Greta on the edge of a bridge, contemplating suicide until she is interrupted by Pearse, a young man unceasing in his efforts to find his younger brother who he suspects has been harmed by local gangster Frank Feeney, who just so happens to be Greta’s father. Reluctantly caught in the middle of all of these storylines is Greta’s friend Marie who, along with her other friend Dara, struggle to stay out of danger on a New Year’s Eve night which spirals more and more out of control.

Burley has few, if any, light moments to play as the despondent Greta, but she never falters in her portrayal of a woman figuratively and physically driven to the edge of despair. She sparkles in her scenes with McCann, who gets to play some wittier moments as Pearse, a young man with whom Greta forms an instant bond due to their mutual loathing of Frank Feeney, played by Roddy. Roddy is perfectly menacing in the role, while Ciarán McMenamin and Packy Lee provide much of the comic relief as Feeney’s lacklustre henchmen. Charlene McKenna and Valene Kane are terrific as Marie and Dara, the two women who can’t help but to get drawn into everyone else’s problems. Rounding out the cast is Dormer who, as the haunted criminal Johnny, is a world away from Terri Hooley of ‘Good Vibrations’ in this role. Dormer grounds every single scene he is in, especially when he is paired with the ridiculous duo of Ross and Jack (McMenamim and Lee, respectively), and at times rivals Burley as the emotional hook of the film.

More than likely, ‘Jump’ will not receive the global marketing support handed out to less-deserving ensemble offerings like last year’s woeful ‘New Year’s Eve’ or the recent ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’, which is a shame because Walsh and Brookes have created a densely-plotted and fantastically fast-paced film which would entertain almost any cinema-goer. Still, it had the backing of Limelight Media, Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Film Board and BBC Northern Ireland, among other investors, so there may be hope that a wider audience outside of Northern Ireland will get the chance to enjoy ‘Jump’ and see a refreshing take on life in this creatively-burgeoning country.

Visit the Belfast Film Festival Website  or Just give them a Like on Facebook

The article ‘Jump’ Wows At Belfast Film Festival 2012 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Argentinean provincial governor, Carlos Soria, was recently shot dead near his ranch in general Roca, the south-central Rio Negro Province, during New Year’s Eve. Police say Rio Negro governor was shot in his left eye and died from the single shot.

Soria was sworn in as a governor of Rio Negro province on 10 of December 2011, and was at home celebrating New Year’s Eve with his family. In the initial stages of the investigation the whole event looked mysterious, as there was no evidence of a trespasser or any suspicious activity.

Investigations into to the death of Soria are gradually pointing to his wife Susana Freydoz as a key suspect because she was the only person with Soria in the bedroom when the incident took place. Freydoz was questioned by the police in the primary investigation to determine whether the incident took place intentionally or accidently.

According to officials there was a .38-caliber gun at the ranch belonging to Rio Negro governor Carlos Soria, and reports also confirmed that the was having an argument in the bed room. According to one testimony, relations between them were damaged due an apparent affair by Soria.

Traces of gunpowder have been found in Freydoz’s hands, but police said further inquiry and scans will be conducted in order to find out whether the gunpowder is that of the .38 caliber pistol or of the fireworks that were used that night. Prosecutor Miguel Fernandez said nothing could be concluded prior to result of the tests that are to be conducted.

Later on with further developments, it was declared Susana Freydoz was the key and only suspect in the murder of Soria because she was the only person accompanying him in the bedroom when he was shot.

Freydoz is to undergo a series of interviews with the Supreme Court Justice psychiatrist relating to her role in the murder. The psychiatric studies will be conducted to explore Freydoz’s mental faculties to see if she is able to stand trial.

People attending the party said that everything was quiet, normal and cool and there was no discussion or argument before or after the dinner. Tensions broke out between them around 3:30 am when the couple went in the bedroom.

Victor Sodero Nievas, President of Superior court of Justice of Rio Negro region said Freydoz had “compatible marks with a superficial bruise” when she presented herself to the court, and further said that the “bruises on her body were a product of the verbal dispute they had.”

Now Freydoz has been put in medical custody and she is under 24-hour surveillance by the police in order to prevent suicide.

The article Argentinian Murder; Soria’s Wife Sole Suspect appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.