Triskel season puts spotlight on movies celebrating spirit of rock and roll

Triskel Cinema’s latest film season promises to be an exciting experience for cinema aficionados and music enthusiasts.

Titled Prey For Rock And Roll, this vibrant line-up pays tribute to iconic, classic films that celebrate the spirit of British rock and roll. 

The season begins this Sunday, May 4, with That’ll Be The Day.

Chris O’Neill, Head of Cinema at Triskel, says that a re-release of a classic film prompted him to programme this season.

“With the British Film Institute releasing a digitally remastered version of Slade In Flame in cinemas and on Blu-Ray, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to not only screen the movie but also to host a season of other classic British rock and rock films from the 1970s.”

O’Neill says Slade In Flame, which revolves around a fictional band inspired by Slade, takes a cynical look at the music industry.

The UK glam rock band Slade rose to prominence in the 1960s, becoming a significant force in the music scene. They are perhaps best known for their iconic festive song, Merry Xmas Everybody.

However, the band never set out to be viewed as Christmas song artists and initially resisted the idea of creating a holiday-themed track. Despite their hesitance, Merry Xmas Everybody not only skyrocketed to fame but also secured a lasting legacy, forever linking Slade’s name to the festive spirit of Christmas.

In the mid-1970s, Slade were approached to make a film and agreed to the script for Slade In Flame. It follows a fictional band called Flame. of Slade, including Noddy Holder, took on the roles, ed by actors Tom Conti and Alan Lake.

At the start of the film, two rival bands are noticed by a London businessman who thinks that if he brings them together, they can create a new group that will make him a fortune.

However, he has no intention of protecting the band or their music’s integrity; naturally, things don’t go as planned for the musicians involved.

The film was produced by Lord David Puttnam’s Goodtimes Enterprises long before he became a lord or moved to Cork.

O’Neill says That’ll Be The Day and its sequel Stardust follow a young rock star, played by David Essex, from humble beginnings to international stardom.

“These are both great movies and star real musicians such as Ringo Starr, Adam Faith, Keith Moon and Dave Edmunds.”

Essex emerged as a prominent figure on the music scene during the vibrant glam rock era of the 1970s. His dazzling smile, twinkling eyes, and infectious charisma captured attention, effortlessly enchanting audiences everywhere.

He is best known for his iconic hit Rock On, which became synonymous with his name and displayed his unique blend of rock and pop sensibilities.

However, he was much more than just a chart-topping singer; he evolved into a bona fide pop culture phenomenon, taking on roles in theatre productions and films, as we can see from Triskel’s programme.

Released in 1973 and set in the late 1950s and early ’60s, That’ll Be The Day is a gritty coming-of-age story about 18-year-old Jim Mac-Laine, who rejects convention for a life filled with music and mischief.

With Essex’s moody charm as Jim and a killer soundtrack, it became an instant cult classic of UK cinema. Essex was nominated for a BAFTA for his portrayal of this young man in pursuit of something more than life had already given him.

Ray Connolly wrote the film, but Puttnam, who was said to have been inspired by Harry Nilsson’s song 1941, came up with the idea.

Stardust, released a year after That’ll Be The Day, is a sequel that focuses on the next phase of Jim’s life as he forms a band called The Stray Cats and is on the verge of achieving superstardom. As the film progresses, all his dreams come true, but success doesn’t always lead to a smooth journey.

The film explores the darker side of success, as Essex delivers a raw and compelling portrait of a star on the edge. Moon returned to his role from the original film, and the legendary Larry Hagman, famed for his iconic portrayal of JR Ewing in Dallas, ed the cast.

O’Neill says that final film in the programme is Quadrophenia, which is based on The Who’s album of the same name.

“ Quadrophenia is one of the most memorable British ‘angry young man’ films ever made with an amazing central performance by Phil Daniels, who later appeared on the Blur song Parklife.”

It is the ultimate manifesto for the Mod subculture-loud, stylish, and fuelled by teenage angst.

Released in 1979 and inspired by The Who’s iconic rock opera, the film follows scooter-riding rebel Jimmy (Daniels) as he searches for his identity in the chaotic landscape of 1960s London.

With its sharp suits, seaside showdowns, and raw energy, Quadrophenia became a cult classic that captured the spirit of a youth movement caught between rebellion and disillusionment.

Released in 1979, it also stars a host of recognisable English actors, including Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, and singers Sting and Toyah Wilcox.

The Prey For Rock and Roll season runs from May 4-7, see triskelartscentre.ie