Apology for actress's IRA comments

A director has distanced herself from comments about supporting the IRA made by an actress who stars in her latest film.

Rose McGowan sparked controversy with comments made at the world premiere of Fifty Dead Men Walking, a film based on the memoirs of Martin McGartland, an RUC Special Branch agent who infiltrated the IRA in the 1980s.

The 35-year-old American actress, whose father is Irish, said at a press conference at the Toronto Film Festival last week: "I imagine, had I grown up in Belfast, I would 100% have been in the IRA. My heart just broke for the cause. Violence is not to be played out daily and provide an answer to problems, but I understand it."

McGowan plays an IRA operative in the film, which also stars Sir Ben Kingsley and Jim Sturgess.

The producers and director of the film attempted to limit the damage caused by her comments by publicly expressing their disapproval. There are concerns that the comments could damage the film, presently being sold around the world and to be released in the UK next month.

In a statement, they said they regret any "distress that this (the comments) may have caused to people of Northern Ireland and particularly those who were victims of, or caught up in the shocking events that existed during the Troubles." The comments "were not shared, nor endorsed, by anybody associated with the production or creative elements of the film", they said.

Director Kari Skogland said: "Rose's personal opinions of Northern Ireland do not reflect the perspective of the film in any way.

"Our goal was to present an even, non-judgmental point of view so the audience could follow the path of an informer with empathy no matter what the politics.

"We are all very proud of this thought-provoking film and are deeply indebted to the city of Belfast and Northern Ireland for giving us such a warm welcome whilst filming."

Guy Collins, chairman of HandMade Films International, said on behalf of the co-producers: "We were surprised and disappointed by the comments made by Ms McGowan. To the best of our knowledge, her now-stated views were never expressed at any time before, during or after the shooting of the film, until the press conference ahead of the gala screening last week. Her opinions run entirely contrary to the stated aims of the film which has always been to tell one man's story viewed from both sides of the conflict."

Via ukpress