Paul Mescal's iconic GAA shorts among props for auction in aid of Ukrainian filmmakers
Paul Mescal's signed GAA shorts, a signed script of the first episode and signed hardback book of scripts from the award-winning series Normal People will soon be auctioned off in support of filmmakers affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
The online auction launched today at 9am and will close on Sunday, July 17 at 6pm as part of a campaign organized by a group of independent Irish filmmakers, Element Pictures, and Director Lenny Abrahamson.
The famous blue and yellow GAA shorts featured in the series launched a thousand fan memes, had Gucci designing imitation pairs for sale, and profiled the sport of gaelic football to Hollywood. The shorts are also in the blue and yellow colours of Roscommon, Clare, Tipperary and Ukraine.
Veteran Film set auctioneer Sean Eacrett, seaneacrettauctions.ie is hosting the timed auction on easyliveauctions.com and is "delighted to host this auction for such a good cause."
The Normal People Auction is being organised by Órla Murphy who in March gathered together a group of independent Irish filmmakers, ‘Filmmakers supporting Filmmakers’, to raise funds and awareness. The group has already raised just over €10,000 to support their colleagues impacted by the crisis in Ukraine attracting support from all corners of the industry. Events to engage the general public included the sale and raffle of props and costumes donated by Shinawil, Brown Bag Films and Newbridge Silverware, along with a gala screening by The Lighthouse Cinema, Element Pictures and Eureka Film & Video.
Founder and Company Director of Element Pictures, Ed Guiney, said:
"What is happening in Ukraine is utterly devastating. Along with Lenny Abrahamson, we at Element are proud to be supporting these charities and admire their brilliant work to help film makers."
Darya Busel, Chief Programmer of the Ukranian documentary filmmaker festival Docudays.ua, said:
“For the past four months, Ukrainian filmmakers are risking their lives and mental health to document the atrocities of war and let the world know about the war crimes, but not only that they are gathering footage for future films. I'm sure the films that will emerge from the work that is being done now, will help us to understand this historical moment, when the whole world has to reconsider the principles on which it is built.
"These films to come, will help us to face our traumas and to reconnect with ourselves. Because the worst thing the war is doing to you is that it takes your life from you. It's true that maybe cinema cannot change anything in the short term but it can definitely change a lot in the long perspective. On behalf of our colleagues in Docudays and in Ukrainian film, I am very thankful to all who donate to support us in doing this important work."
Orwa Nyrabia from ICFR Ukraine said:
“We established ICFR because we believed that film people everywhere are a community, that attacking one film person anywhere is an attack on all of us, that with such acts of solidarity we can show the whole world that film people will stand up for each other. With our Irish colleagues efforts, that faith is renewed. The plight of our Ukranian colleagues today concerns all of us, and no matter how small or big our contributions can be, they first and foremost send a message that is not financial; ‘we are with you, you are not alone."
All involved in the project are giving their services pro bono.
All funds raised in this auction will go via the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland to the Docudays.ua Ukraine Appeal to support filmmakers still documenting the war within Ukraine and to the ICFR Ukraine appeal https://www.icfr.international to support filmmakers from Ukraine & Russia who may need to relocate.
Normal People was BBC’s most streamed show of 2020, racking up 62.7 million streams from its launch in April to December. The show and all involved have multiple award nominations and wins, including four Emmy nominations, seven BAFTA nominations, and a Best Actor win for Paul Mescal, two Golden Globe nominations and 15 IFTA nominations with nine wins.