Foundling films, for free

JAMESON DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:With thorny distribution deals, complicated financing and neglect, countless films languish in distributor-free limbo, but Orphanage, a series of free screenings as part of the film festival, hopes to change that, writes JOE GRIFFIN

TODAY’S NEWSPAPER wraps tomorrow’s fish, the old adage says. But that expression could easily apply to cinema, which is often treated with fleeting interest at best. Rare films, like music and literature, are often just a Google search away. Why sift through a dusty old shop for a coveted gem when you can buy it online? Thanks largely to easy access and speedy consumption, and to the thorny complications of legality and the logistics of distribution, countless films get lost, sitting in attics, offices and crates around the world.

So Orphanage would seem especially appropriate now. A free-to-attend installation being shown as part of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF), Orphanage will show a smorgasbord of neglected cinematic children, including The Old Dark House(a James Wale classic), the surreal Je T'aime, Je T'aime(a huge influence on Charlie Kaufman) and even a Turkish remake of T he Wizard of Oz, which will feature "a busty young girl carried over the rainbow by a poorly animated tornado" according to the programme.

The curator of Orphanage is Tara Brady, president of the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle. Having grown up in the VHS age, she knows the joy and pain of searching for hidden treats: “I collect things, and have done so for years. I grew up around video stores. Once I worked through the local store, I’d be off looking for other things. That sent me on a lifelong quest.”

But it would be misleading to just think of orphaned films as oddball, abandoned rarities. "There's a few high-profile ones that slip through the net through no fault of their own. For example, when Orion went bust you couldn't see films such as Blow Out. It happened with one of the Robocopsequels too. Most of our high-profile films are classier than the Robocopfilms, but not all of them."

Although the event will feature family-friendly films, silent movies and kitsch remakes, Pulgarasi,the Korean version of Godzilla, which was put into motion by one Kim Jong-il will also be shown. Not surprisingly, it reeks of propaganda. "It was made by Sang-ok Sin, Jong-il's favourite director. He kidnapped him and sent him to a prison camp until he agreed to work for him. It's got that lovely lush appearance typical of the Asian films of the 1980s. It's a gorgeous film, but also quite barmy. And it's got one of the all-time worst monster suits!"

The films will be shown throughout the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival at the Cultivate offices, near the corner of Trinity Street and Andrew Street in Dublin, and the space has been furnished entirely with objects from free trading websites.

A celebration of the lost and forgotten, Orphanage is endearingly devoid of pretension or elitism. “It’s very democratic,” Brady agrees. “It cost no money and nobody attending will pay. The space is cheap and cheerful; anyone can walk in off the street watch a movie . . . and eat free jellybeans!”

The Orphanage runs until February 28th. For more information visit theorphange.weebly.com and jdiff.com

Culture Shock returns next week

Donald Clarke’s Picks For The Weekend

SATURDAY

LA DOLCE VITA

Federico Fellini’s classic tale of decadence in high (and low) Roman society is 50 years old. Celebrate with this afternoon screening.

Light House, Sat, 2pm

LIFE DURING WARTIME

The perennially odd Todd Solondz offers a sequel to his disturbing 1998 classic Happiness. With characteristic perversity, Todd has recast all the main roles.

Cineworld 17, Sat, 2pm

KENNETH ANGER SEASON

The king of transgressive experimentation receives a welcome retrospective. The great man will be along next weekend for the second tranche.

IFI 1, Sat, 2.30pm

ONE HUNDRED MORNINGS

The excellent debut from Irish film-maker Conor Horgan examines a group of squabbling young people in a post-apocalyptic universe. Closer to Pinter than Mad Max. Screen 1, Sat, 4.30pm

SAMSON AND DELILAH

This naturalistic, spare piece about a romance between two Indigenous Australians has been lauded at festivals the world over.

Cineworld 9, Sat, 9pm

SUNDAY

ACCIDENT

No, not the Joseph Losey classic. This Accident is one of the most highly praised Hong Kong thrillers of the past few years. A new Infernal Affairs, perhaps.

Savoy 1, Sunday, 11am

IFB MUSICALS.

What a nice idea. The Irish Film Board has commissioned a series of short musicals. Titles include Moore Street Masala(pictured) and The Man in 301.

IFI 1, Sun, 6.30pm

BETWEEN THE CANALS

This tough new Irish film follows three Dublin villains as they get into trouble on St Patrick’s Day. Cineworld 9, Sun, 8.40pm

NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU

Yikes. This portmanteau tribute to the city that never sleeps features contributions from such contrasting directors as Fatih Akin, Mira Nair and – no, really – Brett Ratner. Yes, he of Rush Hour 3.

Cineworld 17, Sun, 8.45pm

CHLOE

The latest film from Canadian master Atom Egoyan finds Julianne Moore hiring young Amanda Seyfried to test husband Liam Neeson’s fidelity.

Screen 1, Sunday, 9pm