The poignant tale of a loving mother, a reluctant father, and the extraordinary journey that brings a young orphan home.
Synopsis
Maire O’Donnell is a loving woman as rare as a double rainbow. Joyful, warm and caring, she adopts a young orphan named Tomas and whisks him off to a new home on remote Corrie Island, off the coast of Ireland. Maire shares with Tomas the joys of her island home and introduces him to the whimsical local folklore, including the secret of the seals, and teaches him that everything you need is inside of you- if you really look.
But Maire’s stern husband Alec silently disapproves of Tomas’ timidity and halting speech. He can’t hide his disappointment that Tomas isn’t the kind of child he was hoping for and his reluctance to get to know the boy makes Tomas unsure of whether he really belongs.
Soon though, Tomas too falls in love with his home, befriending local children, descending into a secret bat-filled cave, and saving a stranded baby seal.
When tragedy strikes however, Tomas is faced with his greatest challenge yet. He’ll lose everything unless he can find- and share- the unique gifts inside of him. Risking all, Tomas embarks on a perilous journey where he will need to call on his ability to see joy and color even when in the darkest place, in order to triumph and come home.
A Shine Of Rainbows is a story about the transformational power of love, about finding acceptance, discovering ourselves, and realizing that rainbows are all around us- and within us too.
The Production Story
As a mother, producer Tina Pehme ("Partition," "Civic Duty") wanted to make a film her whole family could enjoy. She wanted to find a story that would touch hearts and have a timeless quality, something that could be watched in 20 years and still ring true. When director Vic Sarin ("Partition," "Civic Duty") suggested she read the book “A Shine of Rainbows” by Lillian Beckwith, Pehme immediately recognized a story that would lend itself well to film.
Explains Sarin, “We were looking for a good story that had a heart. When I read the book, it had an elegance and simplicity to it that all classic films have. It is a wonderful account of conquering grief and finding love.” In his award-winning family films as well as his historical epic "Partition," Sarin has often explored the themes of belonging, family and what we leave behind. "A Shine of Rainbows" resonated immediately for Sarin because of the way the character Maire spoke to him. “I was fascinated by all of the characters but it really was Marie who brought it together for me. I felt this character reflected something so important, especially in the world that we live in today. Her unconditional love, her greater understanding and her ability to see possibilities rather than obstacles was what drew me in from the beginning,” Sarin said.
Pehme loved that it was an empowering story for adults and children alike and that it had a positive message . She was drawn to the authentic way in which the drama unfolds in the story, encompassing joy, sadness, humor, tragedy, courage and hope told in a very real, yet inspiring way. She was moved by the subtle way that Maire gently gave Tomás the tools to find his own unique gifts and strength inside himself, something Pehme believes we should all take the time to do with our children. “Through Maire’s relationship with Tomás” she continued, “we see what a difference one person can make in a life, and that it’s the quality not the quantity of time that we spend with someone that matters. 'A Shine of Rainbows' sends this message in an inspiring and uplifting way.”
“There were a number of places where we could have set the film”, recalls Pehme. “It could have been Scotland, Ireland or Newfoundland. The island is a major character in the story and we were looking for somewhere foreboding and beautiful at the same time”.
After deciding to make the film in Ireland, Pehme and her producing partner Kim Roberts were introduced to several potential co-producers bythe Irish Film Board. James Flynn (Octagon Films) and his partner Morgan O’Sullivan (World 2000 Entertainment Ltd.) quickly stood out as the perfect choice. As two of Ireland’s top producers, the two have produced and executive produced such projects as "P.S. I Love You," "King Arthur," "Ella Enchanted," and "Angela’s Ashes," and specialize in international co-productions, including the Canadian-Irish co-production "The Tudors." “James immediately loved the timeless quality of the story that had appealed to us,” recalled Pehme. “We knew that he shared our vision for the film and felt that he and Morgan would be the perfect match”.
Envisioning The Film
Director Vic Sarin is renowned for his unique visual story telling style exemplified in such films as "Partition," "Margaret’s Museum" and "Cold Comfort," and has garnered numerous international awards for both direction and cinematography. Having traveled and worked extensively around the world Sarin had something very particular in mind for the location for "A Shine Of Rainbows," but even so, he was awestruck by the beauty of the Inishowen Peninsula, the location in the northern most tip of Ireland where the film was shot.
Given the title of the movie, capturing rainbows on camera was a priority for Sarin. “Color is very much part of the movie, with the rainbow a recurring positive motif. I was chasing rainbows all over Donegal to film them,” he laughed. The physicality of the film is so important.” Sarin used the spectacular landscape to underscore the emotions of the story.
The look and feel of the Inishowen region wove a whole other layer and texture into the movie, explained producer Pehme. “Vic chose to work with a black and white color pallet at the beginning of the film. When Tomás is in the orphanage and when he first arrives on Corrie there is a drab, colorless feel to the picture. As Maire introduces Tomás to a different way of seeing the world, we too begin to the island in a full and glorious technicolor. We are truly seeing Corrie through Maire’s eyes. Later, when tragedy strikes, the color fades again. It becomes up to Tomás to use the tools Maire has left him to bring color back into the world around him. The spectacular scope of the landscape allowed us to use color to emphasize story arcs.”
The production design and wardrobe were also key to creating the look that Sarin had envisioned for the film. The orphanage where the film opens was shot in a grey, derelict building in Letterkenny, and the contrast between that and the rich, warm colors of Maire’s cottage home allowed the whole look and feel to be enhanced by the use of color. Similarly, costume designer Susan Scott ("Some Mother’s Son," "Dancing at Lughnasa") notes that dressing the character of Maire was integral to the way her story was told. “Maire is crucial to the film and while everything around her is so drab and black and white, she is colorful. Everything about her is based on color”.
Casting The Film
“While on the surface the story seems simple, what makes it complex are the characters themselves,” says Pehme. This, to her, is what has always been so fascinating about the story. “Maire teaches us that we have a choice in how we look at life. We can see beauty or what scares us. She shows Tomás that you can change whether or not you are scared of something just by the way you look at it. It’s all a matter of perspective. For her, color equals love. She brings color into everything she does.”
“That”, adds director Sarin, “is in essence the backbone of the whole story.”
“It was really important that we cast the right actress as Maire” comments Sarin. “She is definitely the sort of person who sees the glass as half full instead of half empty. In a dark world Maire always seeks the light. Her attitude is so special. We wanted an actress who could capture that positivism and gentleness but also have a sense of fun. Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator," "One Hour Photo") was our first choice and she is so wonderful in the role. She absolutely radiates warmth.”
Pehme recalls that she was confident that Nielsen would have the warm, compelling and loving qualities that the character possessed and she knew that Nielsen felt the same because she responded to story as soon as she read it.
“I was crying uncontrollably by the time I had reached Page 16,” said Nielsen. “The story was talking about something I found compelling. I only do movies that I have a reaction to, either politically, emotionally or intellectually. There was something pure about the characters. This is a film that isn’t afraid to think that children are intelligent, sentient, kind beings”, continued Nielsen, a mother of 4 herself, who added that she was looking for a film that her 8 and 11-year olds could see.
Sarin wanted Aidan Quinn ("Legends Of The Fall," "Desperately Seeking Susan") for the role of Alec and knew that the wonderful Irish actor had a tremendous track record on his native soil. “Aidan’s eyes are wonderful. Right from the start, I wanted him for the role. And it is not just about his Irish roots. Alec is an extremely complex character. He has to be self-absorbed but must be warm enough to embrace young Tomás. Those strong piercing eyes are something special. The viewer knows there is warmth there, although it is slightly hidden.”
The script interested Quinn right from the start “It is a terrific story and I loved the characters. It is a movie that my 11-year-old daughter will be able to watch and that is a very welcome rarity in the movies that I do. It has a light touch and is definitely for a family audience.” It also spoke deeply to him as a parent and family man. “It had some unusual themes about parenting. The message is about not abandoning or forsaking children who do not have parents. All my family are still very close and I am determined to maintain that. The legacy my parents left was the importance of family life.”
While Nielsen and Quinn are household names and have a long list of successes behind them, there was also a need for a young newcomer. With the help of veteran casting directors John and Ros Hubbard ("Lord of the Rings," "King Kong," "The Bourne Supremacy"), who have been responsible for discovering some of Hollywood’s young talent such including Kate Winslet, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Colin Farrell, producers launched a wide search for just the right child. They needed to find someone who had frailty and vulnerability but could also blossom into someone strong, confident and self possessed. Further, since movies aren’t shot in sequence, they needed an actor who could play both of these things in one day.
With Tomás in almost every single scene it was essential to find someone who was young enough and had a certain vulnerability, but who also had the stamina to carry a feature film. They found just that in Scottish newcomer John Bell. Recalls Pehme, “We auditioned so many kids who had lots of potential but they weren’t the right kid for the part. Generally when we are casting a film, as soon as the right person reads the part there isn’t anyone else. That’s how it was with John. It was game over when he came in the door. Everyone felt the same way. We knew we had found Tomás.”
The Donegal Accent
Belfast based dialect coach Brendan Gunn ("Sweeney Todd," "P.S. I Love You," "Snatch") is recognized as one of the very best in his business. He has helped perfect the Irish accents of a galaxy of stars such as Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Daniel Day Lewis and Kate Blanchett. “Working on 'A Shine of Rainbows' was terrific,” said Gunn. “Although the characters would have spoken with a strong Donegal accent, obviously you have to give the actors a language and dialect that most people will understand.” He set about creating a middle-Irish accent with a definite Donegal sound but that would sound clear to international audiences. “With actors, it is very important to remember it is all about the character they are playing. I prefer to get people to realize their character through the dialect. They will have their own style.”
The Music
The beautiful Donegal scenery is enhanced by the film’s score. Composer Keith Power grew up less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, and now lives on an entirely different coastline, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. His love of the sea is still there and had a major impact on him when composing the music for "A Shine of Rainbows." “Having grown up half a mile from the ocean, surrounded by the rich traditions of Irish folk music, this was a project that I was instantly drawn too,” he explained. “Our aim is to create a timeless score that gently helps tell the story of Tomás, Maire and Alec. We are combining traditional orchestra with smaller groups of Irish folk instruments. We are absolutely thrilled that local Irish musicians The Henry Girls have contributed their talents to this score.”
The Henry Girls were finalists on "You’re a Star," an Irish "American Idol" style singing competition. and were discovered by producers while on location in Donegal. Group member Lorna McLaughlin said it was fantastic to asked to be part of the soundtrack. “I just think it is an amazing story,” she said. “An international film crew walks into a little rural country bar where we play every week, and the whole thing just takes off.” The Henry Girls were recently nominated for an IFTA award for their work on the film.
Visual Effects
Visual effects play a key role in "A Shine of Rainbows." VFX supervisor Dermot Shane has worked in a variety of genres from documentary to music videos, television and feature film. Knowing that the effects would require a substantial amount of work, Shane traveled to Ireland several months before the beginning of production in order to prepare. “Vic and I went to Ireland in the early spring to start getting plates (elements of visual effects) so that we could smoothly integrate the effects into principal photography.”
Shane explains, “One of the most difficult things to do in visual effects is to create a ‘heightened reality’. It’s much easier, for instance, to blow up a space ship because in that case the audience has already suspended disbelief. It was very important to us in this film to stay in the real world. It is a very fine line between what is real and what is enhanced reality. We didn’t want to break that barrier for the viewer. That is why we spent time shooting real rainbows and real seals that we could integrate with the help of visual effects later on."
Lasting Impressions
Says Pehme, “I hope audiences will walk away from this film feeling uplifted and realizing that we all have the ability to make a difference. The experience of making this film reaffirmed for me what is important in life. Watching performances and reviewing dailies every day, I was constantly reminded of significance of the small things in life and how much people matter. I think there was something indescribable and very special felt by all of us in making this movie and it is my hope that the audience feels that too.”
Adds director Sarin, “I believe this is the right story for the world we are living in right now. I hope that this film will touch people at a very human level.” He continued, “this was one of those filmmaking situations where that wonderful alchemy happens when you have a beautiful script, the perfect actors, a talented crew, and fantastic locations. Somehow it all just comes together.”
Awards & Certifications
Awards
Sedona International Film Festival – Mar 2010- Winner, Director’s Choice Award
Victoria International Film Festival- Feb 2010- Winner, Best Canadian Feature Film
Recipient of the Truly Moving Pictures Award- Dec 2009
Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film & TV Festival For Young People, Belfast –
Winner, Children’s Jury Award for Best Feature Film- Dec 2009
Ale Kino! International Young Audience Film Festival, Poland – Special Mention,
Children’s Jury Award for Best Feature Film- Dec 2009
Heartland Truly Moving Pictures Film Festival – Winner, Audience Award- Nov 2009
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival – 1st Prize, Children’s Jury Award for
Best English-Language Feature- Oct 2009
Ibiza International Film Festival – Winner, Audience Award- Jun 2009
Nominations
Best Feature Film Screenplay- Writer’s Guild of Canada Awards
Best BC Film- Vancouver Critics Circle- January 2009
Certifications
Recipient of the The Dove Foundation Seal of Approval
.jpg)
