Buskers (2000)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Ian Power

Writer:

Ian Power (written by)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Short

Plot:

An Irish lad sings in the street and begs in the train station to support himself and his Da. In the more lucrative train station...

Plot Keywords:

Child | Street Musician | Teamwork | Beggar | Independent Film

Cast

Stephen Moran	...	Packo
Stephen Brittain	...	Milos
John Kavanagh	...	Packo's Da
Joe Power	...	Milos' Father
Niall O'Driscoll	...	The Dodgy-Looking Man
Conor Sheridan	...	Little Five for Fifty Man
Mark Cantan	...	Hare Krishna with Bells
Nicky Murphy	...	Hare Krishna with Tambourine
Anthony Thomas	...	Man Stamping Out His Cigarette
Justin Howlett	...	Man with the Broken Umbrella
John Hogan	...	Garda Sergant
Padraic Hogan	...	Garda Driver
Gillian Rea	...	Pram Runner 1
Venetia Quick	...	Pram Runner 2
Bernadette Tate	...	Mother with Buggy 1

Runtime:

14 min

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Shoot Films

Soundtrack:

Dirty old Town

Very nice little tale

I first saw this back in November 2000. I thought it was the best short film I have ever seen.

There is something about this short film that mixes together nicely. These components consist of the cast, writer and director (Ian Power) and the cinematographer. The cast is faultless especially the two young boys Stephen Moran as Packo and Stephen Britain as Milos. The writer/director Ian Power certainly has the ability to gain an excellent performance whilst keeping and eye on the technical side. Then there is the Cinematographer Ivan McCullough whose work has impressed me before in Lance Daly's excellent Last Days in Dublin.

The story centres about a young child called Packo who dreams of becoming famous like his idol Bono. His performance space is standing on the street singing for money. One day he comes across Milos in his space also performing on his space and rivalry ensues. This is until they realise they have more in common than what they though.

This short is very different from most of the Irish shorts during that time. Power does not rely on off-beat humour and criminality to produce such a heart warming story as this. It's a pity I have not seen more of his stuff since. If the rest of his writing and directing skills are like this than he may one day become a very successful director.