Griffith Lecturer Brings Film to Venice
John Wallace is a producer of the film, written by Mark O'Halloran
Griffith College is delighted to share that lecturer John Wallace’s film project, Rialto, will be premiered at the 2019 Orizzonti (Horizons) competition at the prestigious 76th Biennale di Venezia (Venice International Film Festival).
Founded in 1985, La Biennale di Venezia is one of the most famous and prestigious cultural organisations in the world and stands at the forefront of promoting the arts worldwide. The organisation’s Film Festival is recognised by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Association) and aims to raise awareness of film in all its forms (art, entertainment, as an industry and freedom of speech and spirit).
Rialto, which John produced alongside Alan Maher (both joint Managing Directors of Cowtoon Pictures) is based on the play Trade. Written by Mark O’Halloran and directed by Peter Mackie Burns, the film is set in present-day Dublin. It follows the story of a father with two teenage children who, following the death of his destructive father, finds he begins to repeat similar mistakes with his own son.
John teaches Production and Direction on the college’s popular Film and TV Production programme, and is a clear example of the calibre of lecturing staff the programme has.
John said of the news, “We are thrilled to be premiering Rialto in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival. For Mark O’Halloran to have trusted us to bring his remarkable screenplay to the screen gives us an enormous sense of pride. Helping to realise the directorial vision of the prodigiously gifted Peter Mackie Burns has been very rewarding, as has been collaborating closely with Tristan Goligher and Valentina Brazzini from the Bureau. We had amazing talent working across all departments on Rialto, including a wonderful cast led by the fiercely committed Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and we are very much looking forward to sharing this work with audiences next month.”
The film stars lead Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame), Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk) and Monica Dolan (Appropriate Adult, A Very English Scandal) and will premiere at the festival between 28 August – 7 September.
This is a huge achievement for John and we wish him the very best of luck at the competition.
We'll be keeping our fingers and toes crossed!
