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Strength and Honour

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Wikipedia article




'Strength and Honour' is a 2007 Irish sports drama film written, produced and directed by Mark Mahon. It was shot in Cork, Ireland. Filming took place in the city and county including Kinsale, Rochestown, Passage West and the un-opened maternity ward of the Cork University Hospital as well as the new airport.

The film had its market premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007, and won the "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" awards at the Boston Film Festival.[http://www.rte.ie/arts/2007/0924/strengthandhonour.html RT.ie Entertainment: Irish film wins at Boston Film Festival]

It was released on 20 November 2007 in Ireland and was tested on a limited capacity in the United States on 7 December 2007. It was given a 15A rating in Ireland.

After the US testing, the film was re-cut taking 13 minutes off it.

In 2009, the Film was selected to screen at the Writers Guild of America and received a review in the Los Angeles Times that described it as 'another Slumdog Millionaire'. Later the same year, Michael Madsen and Mark Mahon appeared on the TODAY show in New York, as there was such strong word of mouth about the film.

On 17 March 2010, Mark Mahon and the film's main cast were invited by Prince Albert of Monaco to a private Royal screening at the Palace of Monaco.

The film's tagline was: "Wounds Heal, Scars Fade, Glory is Forever".

Plot



'Strength and Honour' tells the story of an Irish-American boxer, Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen), who accidentally kills his friend in the ring and promises his wife that he will never box again. However, years later, when he discovers that his only son is dying of the same hereditary heart disorder which has taken his wife, he is forced to break his promise to raise the substantial funds needed for the surgery that could save his sons life.

Cast



*Michael Madsen as Sean Kelleher

*Vinnie Jones as Smasher O'Driscoll

*Patrick Bergin as Papa Boss

*Richard Chamberlain as Denis O'Leary

*Gail Fitzpatrick as Mammy McGrath

*Michael Rawley as Chaser McGrath

*Michael Kelleher Jr. as Luke Whelton

*Chosky Boss as Finbar Furey

*Coco McGrath as Sheridan Mahon

*Baby McGrath as Krystal Mahon

*Barry Leacy as Myles Horgan

*Fixer Ward as Michael Galvin

*Gary Cashman as Blackie

Reception



The film received largely negative reviews on both its American[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935603.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 Variety (Ronnie Scheib)] and Irish releases. It was released on 20 November 2007 in Ireland and was tested on a limited capacity in the United States on 7 December 2007. Mark Mahon was nominated for an I.F.T.A. (Irish Film and Television Academy Award) for his efforts. It was given a 15A rating in Ireland. After the US testing, the film was re-cut taking 13 minutes off it.

Awards



It then went on to win the following awards:

* won the "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" awards at the Boston Film Festival

* Winner Festival Prize 23rd Boston Film Festival

* Winner Best Feature 23rd Boston Film Festival

* Winner Michael Madsen, Best Actor 23rd Boston Film Festival

* Winner Best Feature 2008 Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival

* Winner Michael Madsen, Best Actor 2008 Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival

* Winner Best Feature 2008 New York International Film Festival

* Winner Best Director 2008 New York International Film Festival

* Winner Michael Madsen, Best Actor 2008 New York International Film Festival

* Winner Best Score 2008 New York International Film Festival

* Winner 56th Annual Columbus International Film Festival (Chris Awards)

* Winner Best American Independent Feature 2008 Mount Shasta International Film Festival

* Winner Best Performance in a Feature 2008 Mount Shasta International Film Festival

* Winner Best Foreign Feature 2008 International Action On Film Festival

* Winner Best Director 2008 International Action On Film Festival

* Winner Best Screenplay 2008 Alan J. Bailey Excellence Award

* Winner Best Supporting Actor 2008 Alan J. Bailey Excellence Award

* Winner Best Soundtrack 2008 Malibu International Film Festival

* Winner Best Picture 2008 Apra Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA)

* Winner Best Director 2008 23rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

* Writers Guild of America Selection in Pete Hammonds Screening Series

* Winner Best Picture 2009 Aurora Awards

* Winner Best Picture 2009 Moscow Sports Film Festival

'Strength and Honour' also had official selections from several film festivals, including selections at several non-competitive festivals such as Cairo, Cambridge, Portugal, Moscow, Rome, Seville and Shanghai. The film was also selected by the Beijing Olympics Committee for their Sports Film Screening Week in 2008.

References




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