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PRODUCTION Ireland / UK / Barbados

Michael Flatley wraps shooting for Blackbird

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- The upcoming romantic spy thriller is the directorial debut by the famed Irish dancer, who retired in 2015

Michael Flatley wraps shooting for Blackbird
Director Michael Flatley on the set of Blackbird

It is not unusual for acclaimed dancers, at some point in their career, to decide to make their artistic debut in the seventh art. There have been many successful examples of this over the last 50 years, such as those of Anne FletcherCharles WaltersGene KellyStanley Donen and Herbert Ross, to name but a few. This is also the case for Irish-American dancer and choreographer Michael Flatley, who is best known for his own popular theatrical productions Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger.

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Flatley retired in 2015, and since then, he has been working on his first feature-film project, entitled Blackbird. The story, penned by Flatley himself, focuses on a veteran secret operative (played by Flatley) who moves to the Caribbean island of Barbados to enjoy his retirement and escape his past. His peace and quiet will suddenly be interrupted when a powerful international arms dealer, Blake Molleneau (Eric Roberts), appears on the island and complicates his plans. The main cast also includes Irish actors Patrick Bergin (Free Fire [+see also:
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Sleeping with the Enemy) and Ian Beattie (Vikings, Game of Thrones).

The feature, shot in several stunning locations in Ireland, England and Barbados, is being directed by Flatley himself and co-produced by Richard Bolger (Rising/Falling, Cardboard Gangsters [+see also:
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) for Five Knight Films. Alongside the aforementioned Dublin-based firm, four more production partners have granted their support, namely West One Entertainment (United Kingdom), Parachute Film Studios (Barbados), Egg Studios (Ireland) and Dancelord Pictures (United Kingdom). Before making his feature debut, Flatley previously worked on two short films. The most recent one, entitled A Little Bit of Tear, was filmed in Boston and premiered at the Los Angeles Shorts Fest last year. In it, Flatley played the role of a homeless clown whose street performances seem to be ignored by passers-by.

Blackbird has now entered the post-production phase and will be ready for theatrical release in autumn of this year.

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