News Release: Monday 12 January 2009
Cullen congratulates Gabriel Byrne and Colin Farrell on
Golden Globe Awards
Martin
Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism this morning (Monday 12
January 2009) congratulated Irish actors Gabriel Byrne and Colin Farrell on
winning Golden Globe Awards at the 66th Golden Globe Awards ceremony
held last night in Los Angeles.
Gabriel
Byrne received an award in the category ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a
Television Series’ (Drama) for his role as a psychoanalyst in the critically acclaimed American
medical drama ‘In Treatment’,
while Colin Farrell’s award, in the category ‘Best Performance by an
Actor in a Motion Picture’ (Musical or Comedy) went to him for his role in the
film ‘In Bruges’.
Minister
Cullen said: “Gabriel Byrne and Colin Farrell are both wonderfully charismatic
actors and their success in winning Golden Globes, which are such significant
international awards, are indicative of their immense talent and versatility as
artists. I would like to congratulate both actors on their success and I am
sure their personal achievements last night will be welcomed by all in the
Irish film industry.”
Minister
Cullen added: “I would also like to acknowledge Irish actors Jonathan Rhys
Meyers and Brendan Gleeson who also received best actor nominations in addition
to playwright
Martin McDonagh, who wrote and directed ‘In Bruges’ - which was nominated for
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. It was an
auspicious night in America for innovative Irish talent and it demonstrates
that we have some of the best international artists whose individual creative
ability continues to occupy centre stage.”
Speaking
about Irish film and television production, Minister Cullen said: “Of all the
forms of culture, film and television reaches potentially one of the widest
audiences and is a vitally important part of establishing and shaping our image
and reputation abroad. Recent
enhancements by Government to the Section 481 tax relief scheme - which
includes an increase in the individual investor cap for those wishing to invest
in film in Ireland to €50,000 per annum with a 100% relief on that investment -
will allow the Irish film sector compete internationally to bring major inward
investment productions to Ireland, while strengthening indigenous film and TV
production.”
Editor’s
note:
Jonathan
Rhys Meyers’ nomination was also in the category for ‘Best Performance by an
Actor in a Television series’ (Drama); he was nominated for his role in the
Canadian/ Irish co-production ‘The Tudors’. Brendan Gleeson was also nominated in the
category for ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture’ (Musical or
Comedy) for his part in ‘In Bruges.’
The
annual Golden Globe Awards are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press
Association.
Issued
by: Michelle Hoctor, 087 8563070