Mallacht Macha (Macha’s Curse)

1990, 10 minutes; 35mm, 16mm and video; Color, Direct Animation on 35mm film

This superb retelling of a traditional tale from early Irish literature explores the shift from kinship to kingship as the basis for social unity in ancient Ireland. In the story, the pregnant goddess Macha is unwittingly betrayed by her husband and forced by the King of Ulster into an ill-fated race against his horses.

Inspired by the oral tradition of pre-Christian Ireland, Deirdre’s Choice presents an epic Irish tragedy. The film pits the headstrong heroine, Deirdre, against an emerging patriarchal force and sets her life, her love, and her story, within the conflicting mores of a society struggling with change. This 23 minute animated film is unique in that it is driven by highly dramatic voice tracks with versions in both the English and the Irish language. An original music score was composed and performed by Micheal O Domhnaill.

“The film’s lilting visual style is all the more impressive when one realizes that every frame was drawn directly on 35mm clear leader. One of the most remarkable and ambitious drawing-on-film projects yet produced.” —New York Film Festival

“Best represents a standard of excellence for audiences of all ages. . .” —USA Film Festival