The Irish Film & Television Academy is delighted to announce that acclaimed producer/director/writer John Boorman will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards, taking place in Dublin on 20 February 2010.  

Dr Martin Mansergh, Minister of State unveiled details of the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award at an IFTA press reception held in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel today, where he also announced the Irish Film & Television Academy 2010 roll-out of events, met with Members of the IFTA Board and congratulated a number of IFTA 2010 nominees who were in attendance.

Speaking at today’s announcement Mr. Mansergh said:

“Ireland’s audiovisual industry is a vital part of the 'smart' economy, developing a vibrant mix of talent, creativity and enterprise. I am delighted to acknowledge the fine work achieved by this industry over the past 12 months. The sector continues to deliver quality output that has achieved both critical and economic success.”

The Minister added: “The IFTA nominated titles this year demonstrate once again, that Ireland has a fantastic resource of creative talent and expertise; writers, directors, producers, actors and craftspeople.”  

Speaking about the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Minister Mansergh said:

"John Boorman has deservedly received many accolades over his long career. However this Lifetime Achievement Award from Ireland will also celebrate John’s impact and influence on the early years of our film industry, playing a vital role on the original Irish Film Board and also as Chairman of Ardmore Studios."

IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty said:

“The Irish Film & Television Academy is proud to pay tribute to this great visionary filmmaker John Boorman, as it is our chance to acknowledge the infinite source of inspiration and leadership he has given to the Irish film industry over the years.”

Born in England in 1933, John Boorman is no stranger to Irish soil having resided in Co. Wicklow for almost forty years. Since his arrival in Ireland John has had a pivotal influence on the Irish film industry and was an intrinsic force in the development of what the industry has become today.  John Boorman served on the first Irish Film Board and was chairman of the National Film Studios (now Ardmore Studios) until 1982. In these roles John Boorman nurtured the careers of countless Irish directors, writers, producers, actors and crew through encouragement, support and inspiration.  Mr. Boorman’s Grandmother Fitzgerald (on his father’s side) was Irish and influenced his fascination with Celtic myths, which so often appear in his work.

“John Borrman’s work has always been distinctive for its extraordinarily muscular use of film combined with a fearless embrace of mythical and magical stories – and if you want to see two of the finest films ever made about America, you need look no further than Point Blank and Deliverance,” said Simon Perry, Chief Executive of Bord Scannan na hEireann / Irish Film Board

“John Boorman put his filmmaking expertise and international credibility at the disposal of Ardmore Studios and the Irish Film Industry in the 70’s and played a pivotal role in the development of both. He has provided consistent support ever since and fully deserves this award," said Kevin Moriarty, Chief Executive, Ardmore Studios

A champion of Ireland as a first class film location to international filmmakers and global audiences, John Boorman has shot four of his 19 feature film projects here, beginning in 1974 with the sci-fi drama Zardoz, starring Scottish actor Sean Connery as the futuristic barbarian Zed.  He returned his production to Ireland once again in 1980 with the Arthurian epic Excalibur, featuring then unknown acting talents of Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne and Ciarán Hinds in their earliest film roles.  Excalibur included apprentice screenwriter Neil Jordan amongst its largely Irish crew and John went on to exec-produce Neil Jordan’s breakthrough project Angel in 1982. 

Neil Jordan commented today on the news of John Boorman’s IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award:

“John Boorman gave me my first real screenwriting job and was gracious enough to produce my first feature, Angel. What I relish about all of his films is the fact that they couldn't exist in any other medium. He is a true artist of the cinema, and his place in its history has long been secure,”

Irish actor Ciarán Hinds, who is nominated at IFTA 2010 for his role in The Eclipse, also shared his thoughts:

“John Boorman has always been a singular and independently-minded film-maker. Many of his films engage in the exploration of the human spirit. Almost all reveal a man with a political and social conscience.

“When John settled in Ireland in the 1970's, he was to become the rock on which the Irish film industry built its foundations. I would like to think that this Award from the Irish Film and Television Academy goes beyond recognising John's many wonderful achievements and also acknowledges the debt we all owe him.”

John Boorman’s other Irish titles (1998’s The General, a biopic of Irish crime lord Martin Cahill, and Boomman’s most recent release The Tiger’s Tail (2006), a reflection of modern Ireland told through the unravelling life of an unscrupulous property developer) have seen Emmy winning Irish actor Brendan Gleeson appear in the lead role. This creative partnership between director and actor has resulted in Brendan Gleeson also appearing in The Tailor of Panama (2001, alongside another Irish talent Pierce Brosnan), and Boorman’s South African political drama In My Country (2005). 

Brendan Gleeson, who is nominated this year in the category of Actor in a Lead Role Television for his role as Winston Churchill in Into the Storm, will lead the Lifetime Achievement tributes to Mr. Boorman on the night. He said:

“John Boorman has been at the centre of film-making in Ireland since he settled here forty years ago. He has been instigator, practitioner, mentor, producer, writer, director, artist and artisan for all of that time, gracing us with his vision and humanity. What a generous life he is living. What an honour to celebrate him.”

The General also featured Irish actor Adrian Dunbar in the role of Noel Curley.  Mr Dunbar joined the salutes from the Irish film industry to John, he said:

“At times when film making seemed an uncared for art-form in Ireland John Boorman’s presence among us, his initiatives and encouragements, kept the fire lit and I hope this Award might in some small way make up for those days of rain on Excalibur and show the huge respect and love that I and my fellow actors have for him." 

With an illustrious career spanning almost five decades and a man considered to be of formidable artistic intelligence and courage, John Boorman has been nominated for five Oscars, three BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, two Berlin Golden Bear’s and won the Cannes Best Director award twice. 

Amongst his most well known credits include; gangster film Point Blank and war drama Hell in the Pacific, both with screen legend Lee Marvin; the powerful drama Deliverance, set in the Georgia wilderness andfeaturing stunning performances from Burt Reynolds, John Voight, Ned Beatty and Ronnie Cox; Hope and Glory, a poignant look at London during the WWII blitz and The Emerald Forest, an adventure starring his son Charley Boorman and filmed on location in the Amazon jungle in 1985. He is also behind films such as Leo The Last, Catch Us if You Can, Where the Heart Is and Beyond Rangoon.  

Also his best wishes to John Boorman, long-time friend and actor John Hurt said:

“John has been extremely active in the Irish film industry at home and a formidable ambassador on its behalf abroad.  This will be a huge and genuine celebration and as luck, or perhaps judgement would have it, there is nowhere better than Dublin for such an occasion!"

John Boorman is currently working with X-Men producer Bryan Singer on a re-make of his 1981 epic Excalibur, a new animated adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and on his ten year pet project Memoirs of Hadrian, a daring adaptation of Marguerite Yourcenar's bestseller which follows the life of the infamous Roman Emperor. 

To celebrate this Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Boorman will be joined at the IFTA 2010 ceremony on 20 February in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel by family, friends and colleagues from the world of film and television.
Commenting on the receipt of his Lifetime Achievement Award at IFTA 2010, John Boorman acknowledged the work of his Irish colleagues; 

“This [award] is a tribute to all the Irish actors and crews who have made my films for me.”

The Irish Film & Television Awards will take place at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.
The Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on 20th February 2010.