Our Gadi Elkon got to revisit the wonderful documentary, YOUNG PLATO, with his chat with Filmmaker Neasa Ní Chianáín and Subject Kevin McArevey.
At Holy Cross Boys School in Belfast, Northern Ireland schoolyard conflicts are resolved at the Philosophy board where the youngsters learn to reason and think for themselves. School Principal Kevin McArevey, a Stoic who sings along to Elvis Presley, is rocking the status quo by teaching Philosophy to students in a community plagued by urban decay, sectarian violence, poverty and drugs. In an atmosphere of deep caring and support, his students learn new ways to manage their emotions based on Ancient texts. YOUNG PLATO deftly addresses the social division and intergenerational trauma of a city divided by Peace Walls where “the troubles” are more than a memory in a story filled with the mischievous charm of young boys learning to question the mythologies of war and violence. “Young Plato” shines a positive light on contemporary Northern Ireland, offering a model for building a culture of peace in these troubling times.
In their chat Neasa and Kevin give us an update on the boys from the film and Kevin gets to shout out to his amazing staff. Gadi also enjoyed getting to chat about favorite chocolates (vegan ones rep’d too!), SIR Kenneth Branagh’s BELFAST, and of course ELVIS!
Interview with YOUNG PLATO Filmmaker Neasa Ní Chianáín and Subject Kevin McArevey.
Award-winning documentary YOUNG PLATO will open theatrically THIS WEEK in NEW YORK (Angelika Film Center) and Boston (Dedham Community Theater) on Friday, September 23 with a regional expansion to follow on Friday, September 30.
For more info, YOUNG PLATO.
Full list of theaters/ cities:
Friday, September 23
ANGELIKA NEW YORK, NEW YORK, NY
DEDHAM THEATER, DEDHAM, BOSTON, MA
Friday, September 30
ANGELIKA CARMEL MOUNTAIN, SAN DIEGO, CA
ANGELIKA POP-UP AT UNION MARKET, WASHINGTON, DC
THE TOWER THEATER BY ANGELIKA, SACRAMENTO, CA
ANGELIKA PLANO, PLANO, TX
ANGELIKA DALLAS, DALLAS, TX
ANGELIKA AT MOSAIC, FAIRFAX, VA
Friday, October 7
LAEMMLE THEATER, SANTA MONICA, LOS ANGELES, CA
Our previous interview with Neasa.
