Blind Flight (2003)

The true story of Irishman Brian Keenan and Englishman John McCarthy's extraordinary relationship as hostages of militias in Lebanon during the 1979-91 Civil War.

Director:

John Furse

Writer:

John Furse

Stars:

Ian Hart, Linus Roache, Kalim Koleilat

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian Hart	...	Brian Keenan
Linus Roache	...	John McCarthy
Kalim Koleilat	...	Industrial Cell - Kidnap Guard
Nayef Rashed	...	Industrial Cell - Militia Officer
Bassem Breish	...	Storeroom - Joker
Dany El Khoury	...	Storeroom - Rida (as Dany B. Khoury)
Vic Tablian	...	Storeroom - Senior Cleric
Mohamad Chamas	...	Underground Cell - Abed (as Mohammed Chamas)
Ziad Lahoud	...	Underground Cell - Said
Fadi Sakr	...	Underground Cell - Safi
Bahi Ghubril	...	Other Guards - Releasing Officer
Abdala Keserwani	...	Other Guards - Farmhouse Guard
Haroutioun Toupoushian	...	Other Guards - Mazin
Asbed Zaderian	...	Other Guards - First Gunman
Áine Ní Mhuirí	...	Brian's Mum

Storyline

Keenan and McCarthy spent 4.5 years confined together, held underground for much of their captivity, at times chained to each other and to the walls of their prisons. The two men, who could easily have found themselves at opposite ends of a gun barrel in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, instead forged a relationship which transcended all that appeared to divide them. "Blind Flight" tells the story of this compelling relationship as they both resurrect their deepest memories, feelings, fears and loves. In their near biblical journey they uncover many of the forces which made them blind and captive human beings prior to their physical captivity. They finally discover a compassion for their captors which makes the film a 'love story' in the fullest and most humanistic sense.

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | hostage | friendship between men | friendship | prisoner | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Goofs

Brian's fingernails remain neatly trimmed throughout the period of captivity.

User Reviews

A deeply moving and often witty portrayal of male bonding

Blind Flight is a tender, witty, and deeply moving portrayal of the love and mutual support which develops between two highly unlikely individuals, Irishman Brian Keenan and Englishman (with Irish roots)John McCarthy, during their many years of captivity as hostages in the Lebanon in the mid 1980s.Blind Flight took years of love, sweat and dedication to come to fruition....why didn't more people go and see it in the cinemas? Why is it not being screened at my local art-house cinema, the Duke of Yorks, when they were turning people away at a sell out special screening in October? If you want to see it on the big screen, get on the phone and demand that it be screened in your local art-house cinema. This is a film which deserves to be seen by the many, not the few....particularly given the current hostage sitruation in Iraq.If you can't get it on at the cinema, take it out on DVD or VHS from your local rental store...or buy it!!!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 April 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

In den Fängen der Gotteskrieger

Filming Locations:

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Makar Productions, Parallax Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color