Dublin premiere for Laois resident's first feature film

The first feature film by Laois resident Jeremy Curl will premiere in Dublin on Saturday, July 27. 

Dubbed an ‘absurdist dark comedy’,  The Highest Brasil was filmed at locations in Abbeyleix and Rathdowney and features extras from the locality. 

Director and Abbeyleix resident Jeremy Curl said the film is probably the first Irish feature film to show real unsimulated sex. 

“I run a small production company in Laois and as this is our first feature film, we are thrilled that it has been acquired by a major US distributor and is slated for release later this summer. We filmed most of the movie in Laois and with almost no budget, so with a worldwide streaming release we are excited that the film will be seen by audiences around the world,” he said. 

So what’s it about? According to the synopsis,  “sea monsters, self help and sexual utopia. With his marriage crumbling, Seamus, a struggling fisherman, is unexpectedly offered the delicious pleasures of an unusual new life. But to turn his desperation into hope, he will need to put his trust in a group of misfits whose project becomes more and more deranged. This absurdist dark comedy asks if there really is more out there for each of us or is this it?”

Jeremy believes Laois is an ideal place to film and he is delighted the county will feature on the silver screen worldwide.   

“We filmed in Laois last year around Rathdowney and Abbeyleix, including in Morrissey’s pub. Some local residents in Abbeyleix were extras. The film stars well known Irish comedian Ger Staunton. I wrote and directed the film as since I live in Abbeyleix I know what a great place Laois is for film - the landscape and unspoilt towns. I think it is often overlooked as a place to film and it is great that audiences will see more of our wonderful county once the movie streams to a worldwide audience,” he said.  

Pictured above: A still from the film. Credit Brendan Films

Before film, Jeremy undertook expeditions without motorised transport to document extremely remote, little-known tribal areas of Africa. He has walked across the Sahara twice, and exhibited his expedition photographs widely, including alongside Nelson Mandela. In 2013 he was presented with an award for achievement in desert exploration by the crown prince of Dubai. 

The Highest Brasil is his first feature film.  Watch a trailer for the film: https://vimeo.com/922917031