Michael Fassbender Masterclass in Galway
19 June, 2009
Michael Fassbender the subject of Acting Master Class at the 21st Galway Film Fleadh
The 21st Galway Film Fleadh and the Galway Film Centre, in association with Fás Screen Training Ireland, are delighted to announce that Michael Fassbender is the subject of the Acting Master Class at this year's Fleadh, which is open to all aspiring and working actors.
This might well be the last chance to see Michael Fassbender in such an intimate setting before he explodes onto the world stage.
Michael had main roles in two of the twenty films in competition in this year's Cannes Film Festival (Inglourious Basterds, Fish Tank). This in itself is quite an achievement. He played Lt. Archie Hicox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. There is an ironic twist to this, as his first acting assignment, 15 years ago, was in a stage version of Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs.
Within that fifteen year interim, Fassbender established himself as a serious actor, learning his craft through Band Of Brothers, the quality HBO production, Colin Bateman's Murphy's Law and then later by landing the part of Esmé in Francois Ozon's wonderful Angel.
Little prepared the uninitiated for Fassbender's breakout, multi-award winning performance in Steve McQueen's stunning Hunger. Fassbender only appears in the final two acts of the movie yet his portrayal of hunger striker, Bobby Sands is so complete, alive and dynamic that his performance possesses the movie.
He lost 40 pounds for this role, as the latter half of the movie chronicles Sand's physical disintegration. This is in contrast to his role as Stelios in Zack Synder's 300, the previous year, where he played a Spartan warrior.
Those attending the Fleadh's closing film, Andrea Arnold's wonderful Fish Tank, will be privy to another pitch perfect performance by Fassbender. A central tension in Fish Tank is discovering what is the true nature of Fassbender's character, and it is another tribute to his ability as an actor, that he manages to keep this tension simmering - revealing character, and adding depth until the film's conclusion.
The Master Class will take place on Saturday, July 11th and will be facilitated by leading casting agents, Ros Hubbard and Mary Maguire. Hunger will be screened on Friday afternoon, July 10th. For further information or to apply for a place, contact Mary Deely at 091-770748 or masterclasses@galwayfilmfleadh.com Those interested should submit a CV/Biography. The Master Class costs €50.
