Good Vibrations: The Film (2012)
starring - Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Adrian Dunbar, Petesy Burns, Dylan Moran, Ryan McParland, and others.
directed by - Glenn Leyburn, Lisa Barros D'Sa
written by - Glenn Patterson, Colin Carberry
produced by - Chris Martin
scored by - David Holmes
Synopsis - Terri Hooley is a radical, rebel and music-lover in 1970s Belfast when the bloody conflict known as the Troubles shuts down his city. As all his friends take sides and take up arms, Terri opens a record shop on the most bombed half-mile in Europe and calls it Good Vibrations. Through it he discovers a compelling voice of resistance in the city’s nascent underground punk scene. Galvanising the young musicians into action, he becomes the unlikely leader of a motley band of kids and punks who join him in his mission to create a new community, an alternative Ulster, to bring his city back to life. Belfast Film Festival
Good Vibrations Facebook page
Good Vibrations IMDB entry -
UTV i-player - interviews with cast and crew at film premiere
Good Vibrations: The Film premiere review by Joe Donnelly
Official trailer
Scroll down to read my own thoughts on Good Vibrations: The Film .....
directed by - Glenn Leyburn, Lisa Barros D'Sa
written by - Glenn Patterson, Colin Carberry
produced by - Chris Martin
scored by - David Holmes
Synopsis - Terri Hooley is a radical, rebel and music-lover in 1970s Belfast when the bloody conflict known as the Troubles shuts down his city. As all his friends take sides and take up arms, Terri opens a record shop on the most bombed half-mile in Europe and calls it Good Vibrations. Through it he discovers a compelling voice of resistance in the city’s nascent underground punk scene. Galvanising the young musicians into action, he becomes the unlikely leader of a motley band of kids and punks who join him in his mission to create a new community, an alternative Ulster, to bring his city back to life. Belfast Film Festival
Good Vibrations Facebook page
Good Vibrations IMDB entry -
UTV i-player - interviews with cast and crew at film premiere
Good Vibrations: The Film premiere review by Joe Donnelly
Official trailer
Scroll down to read my own thoughts on Good Vibrations: The Film .....
I was very privileged to attend the premiere screening of this eagerly awaited film at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on 31st May 2012, and it was with nervous anticipation that we took our seats, waiting for the lights to go down and the film to roll. Having spent my youth, back in the 70's / early 80's, hanging out in venues such as the Pound and Harp Bar, and attending punk gigs in the Ulster Hall itself, I had my doubts as to whether (or not) the filmmakers could adequately capture the spirit, look and feel of those times. Thankfully, those doubts were unfounded!
Good Vibrations is a totally captivating movie. It will make you laugh, stomp your feet, punch the air, and maybe even shed a tear! I must admit that I got goosebumps during the scene at the legendary Rudi / Outcasts gig, attended by Terri (and the RUC), at the Pound. How fxxking good were those two bands, eh? And if the final scenes of the Good Vibes fundraiser at the Ulster Hall don't bring a lump to your throat , well .........
This is a film for us all to be proud of. Isn't it just fantastic that the directors, producers, scriptwriters, principal actors etc. are all from Northern Ireland? And isn't it great that the film was shot on location here and most of the funding was locally sourced? You betcha!
The story centres on Terri Hooley, a one-eyed maverick, living legend and self-styled godfather of Ulster punk. A man in love with his native Belfast, an eternal optimist who always see's the light at the end of the tunnel - despite the threats, the beatings, the bankruptcies, the arson attacks, the bloody conflict being waged on his doorstep! In the darkest days of the 'Troubles' he opens a record shop, then starts the Good Vibrations record label after witnessing local punk act Rudi live at the Pound, discovers the Undertones and releases the immortal 'Teenage Kicks', and the rest, as they say, is history! (oh aye, he also fell in love and became a father, which also plays a big part in the story). It's a history that all of us involved in the local music scene (in whatever capacity) over the past 35 years know so well, but to see it recreated and come to life on the silver screen is something else!
The filmmakers did an incredible job getting the look and feel of 70's Belfast right. It was a grey, despairing place. The recreation of the outside of the Harp Bar was uncanny and the recreation of the aforementioned gigs in the Pound and Ulster Hall were remarkable. The costume department also deserve commendation for getting the early punk look (clothes / hair) pretty much spot on. The movie is spliced with stock footage of the 'Troubles' , which lets the viewer see just what a horrible, ugly place N. Ireland was at the time, and the inclusion of the brooding instrumental version of Ruefrex's 'Perfect Crime' on the soundtrack, adding extra menace, was a masterstroke. Do I detect a wee homage to the films of John T. Davis in there?
All us old local punks were always going to be the films fiercest critics, scrutinising every little detail, ready to pounce on any inaccuracies or any attempt to show the local punk scene in a bad light. With so many of the old school punks in attendance at the premiere, it must have been nervewrecking for the filmmakers waiting to hear the reaction. The (well deserved) standing ovation at the end of the screening and the wall-to-wall cheesy grins told its own story. The film had passed its first big test with flying colours. This is a film from the heart, and its obvious from the outset that all those involved in Good Vibrations: The Film (cast and crew) empathise with (and recognise the validity and importance of) the early Ulster punk scene (and Terri Hooley's role within the scene). Because of that the filmmakers were able to capture the humour, energy, inspiration, defiance, vitality, passion and determination that permeated the local punk scene back in those dark, violent days.
Still photos of some of the local early punks accompanied the credits at the end of the film, a moving tribute from the filmmakers, especially as some of those featured are no longer with us. Also included was the late, great Joe Strummer quote regarding Ulster punk, lifted from the book 'It Makes You Want To Spit!' (of which I am co-author). A nice touch, much appreciated.
Good Vibrations is not just a film about Terri Hooley (and / or punk rock) - its about love, passion, friendship, heartbreak, determination, teenage rebellion, success, and spectacular failure. Its about sticking two fingers up to the man, kicking against the pricks, and yes, having some fucking FUN! All set to a pulsating soundtrack (put together by our own superstar DJ David Holmes) featuring the creme de la creme of the local punk scene - Rudi, The Outcasts, SLF, Undertones and Ruefrex plus the likes of David Bowie, Suicide, Small Faces and the Shangri La's. What's the chances of a soundtrack album being released on the Good Vibes label? Wouldn't that be cool!
A big well done to all those involved in making this exceptional movie. One last thing - Richard Dormer was absolutely astounding in the role of Terri - the man desrves an Oscar for that performance!
GT 05/06/12
Good Vibrations is a totally captivating movie. It will make you laugh, stomp your feet, punch the air, and maybe even shed a tear! I must admit that I got goosebumps during the scene at the legendary Rudi / Outcasts gig, attended by Terri (and the RUC), at the Pound. How fxxking good were those two bands, eh? And if the final scenes of the Good Vibes fundraiser at the Ulster Hall don't bring a lump to your throat , well .........
This is a film for us all to be proud of. Isn't it just fantastic that the directors, producers, scriptwriters, principal actors etc. are all from Northern Ireland? And isn't it great that the film was shot on location here and most of the funding was locally sourced? You betcha!
The story centres on Terri Hooley, a one-eyed maverick, living legend and self-styled godfather of Ulster punk. A man in love with his native Belfast, an eternal optimist who always see's the light at the end of the tunnel - despite the threats, the beatings, the bankruptcies, the arson attacks, the bloody conflict being waged on his doorstep! In the darkest days of the 'Troubles' he opens a record shop, then starts the Good Vibrations record label after witnessing local punk act Rudi live at the Pound, discovers the Undertones and releases the immortal 'Teenage Kicks', and the rest, as they say, is history! (oh aye, he also fell in love and became a father, which also plays a big part in the story). It's a history that all of us involved in the local music scene (in whatever capacity) over the past 35 years know so well, but to see it recreated and come to life on the silver screen is something else!
The filmmakers did an incredible job getting the look and feel of 70's Belfast right. It was a grey, despairing place. The recreation of the outside of the Harp Bar was uncanny and the recreation of the aforementioned gigs in the Pound and Ulster Hall were remarkable. The costume department also deserve commendation for getting the early punk look (clothes / hair) pretty much spot on. The movie is spliced with stock footage of the 'Troubles' , which lets the viewer see just what a horrible, ugly place N. Ireland was at the time, and the inclusion of the brooding instrumental version of Ruefrex's 'Perfect Crime' on the soundtrack, adding extra menace, was a masterstroke. Do I detect a wee homage to the films of John T. Davis in there?
All us old local punks were always going to be the films fiercest critics, scrutinising every little detail, ready to pounce on any inaccuracies or any attempt to show the local punk scene in a bad light. With so many of the old school punks in attendance at the premiere, it must have been nervewrecking for the filmmakers waiting to hear the reaction. The (well deserved) standing ovation at the end of the screening and the wall-to-wall cheesy grins told its own story. The film had passed its first big test with flying colours. This is a film from the heart, and its obvious from the outset that all those involved in Good Vibrations: The Film (cast and crew) empathise with (and recognise the validity and importance of) the early Ulster punk scene (and Terri Hooley's role within the scene). Because of that the filmmakers were able to capture the humour, energy, inspiration, defiance, vitality, passion and determination that permeated the local punk scene back in those dark, violent days.
Still photos of some of the local early punks accompanied the credits at the end of the film, a moving tribute from the filmmakers, especially as some of those featured are no longer with us. Also included was the late, great Joe Strummer quote regarding Ulster punk, lifted from the book 'It Makes You Want To Spit!' (of which I am co-author). A nice touch, much appreciated.
Good Vibrations is not just a film about Terri Hooley (and / or punk rock) - its about love, passion, friendship, heartbreak, determination, teenage rebellion, success, and spectacular failure. Its about sticking two fingers up to the man, kicking against the pricks, and yes, having some fucking FUN! All set to a pulsating soundtrack (put together by our own superstar DJ David Holmes) featuring the creme de la creme of the local punk scene - Rudi, The Outcasts, SLF, Undertones and Ruefrex plus the likes of David Bowie, Suicide, Small Faces and the Shangri La's. What's the chances of a soundtrack album being released on the Good Vibes label? Wouldn't that be cool!
A big well done to all those involved in making this exceptional movie. One last thing - Richard Dormer was absolutely astounding in the role of Terri - the man desrves an Oscar for that performance!
GT 05/06/12