Esras Films

MIR FRIENDS
Short Cuts: Irish Film Board & RTE 1
TX: 1999
Duration: 26 mins

Described by one critic as 'Ballykissangel meets Apollo 13', this short (26 minute) film is based on the extraordinary story of a Donegal 'ham' radio enthusiast who made contact with a Soviet cosmonaut stranded on the MIR Space station during the summer of 1991.

This radio friendship coincided with the growing political crisis in the Soviet Union. Mission Control in Moscow wasn't very forthcoming with information but his 'ham' radio friend in Donegal kept the cosmonaut abreast of developments.

'MIR FRIENDS' takes these true-life events, embellishes them with a dramatic climax, adds a few quirky characters and tells the story with a wee smile.

SAMPLE PRODUCTIONS:
Click on a link below to view programme details.

	TAIRNGREACHT ACLA (The Achill Prophecy) The 17 century prophecy and the two disasters of the Achill Branch Line.
	AICÍD - The Great Flu Pandemic in Ireland Charting the source and impact of the 1918 Flu Pandemic in Ireland.
	SÉIPLINIUGH NA nIMIRCEACH The work of the Irish Emigrant Chaplains.
	DÁMA CHNOC MHUIRE The lifelong involvement of Dame Judy Coyne with Knock.
	FÍNIÚIN INISH MEÁIN Documentary on the remarkable story of James Concannon.
	AS A SEAL UPON YOUR HEART Martin Sheen traces the life of St. Paul of the Cross.
	THE SEARCH FOR TRISTAN'S MUM Groundbreaking documentary about an Irish child illegally adopted.
	MIR FRIENDS Donegal and the Soviet Union meet in space.
	STRADBALLY HALL DAYS The Cosby family's endless efforts to keep their estate going.
	PREACHERS The lives of three Irish preachers set to the soundtrack of Johnny Cash.
	NATION BUILDERS Historical documentary series on prominent Irish public servants.
	LA NINA BONITA & AN ROISIN DUBH The story of Eugene Downing who fought in the Spanish Civil War
	THE CONCLAVE Following the Conclave after the death of Pope John Paul II.