John Ford’s long-lost classic ‘Upstream’ will be screened to Irish audiences for the very first time in screen history - on Friday 8th June in Dublin.

Made in 1927, ‘Upstream’ lay hidden in the New Zealand Film Archive for over 80 years and was considered among over 60 feature films from legendary filmmaker John Ford’s early career that were lost forever.

However, in 2009, the film was unearthed by film archivists searching deep within the Archive’s trove of early prints, much to the delight of film historians and movie fans who see this film as a major turning point in Ford’s directorial techniques. The momentous discovery made headlines around the globe.

On Friday June 8th, this once lost classic, a burlesque comedy set in a boarding house filled with quirky performers, will receive its Irish premiere at the John Ford Ireland Film Symposium, and screens for just the second time in Europe (following a packed showing in Spain last year which drew crowds from all over the continent).

The world’s only 35mm print copy of ‘Upstream’ has travelled to Ireland from the archives at the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for this rare screening in Dublin city.

Film historian Charles Barr, Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will introduce the film - describing to the audience the significance of the film’s discovery and setting the scene for this historical motion picture event in Ireland. Renowned Pianist Conor Lenihan will provide live musical accompaniment.

IFTA Chief Executive Áine Moriarty commented, “The importance of this extraordinary discovery of Upstream in 2009 cannot be overstated and the John Ford Ireland Film Symposium is delighted to provide Irish audiences with the opportunity to see John Ford, the master filmmaker, in the early days of his career.” 

Speaking about the Irish Premiere of ‘Upstream’, Charles Barr said: “The theatrical setting for ‘Upstream’ makes a fascinating contrast to the Western and Irish settings of other Ford films: a reminder of the exhilaratingly wide range of his work, and of the importance of his roots in silent film. This is an unmissable screening."

The Irish Premiere of John Ford’s ‘Upstream’ takes place on Friday 8th of June at the John Ford Ireland Film Symposium (which runs 7- 10 June). Tickets €8.00 / 7.00 with Charles Barr introduction at 5pm. Purchase tickets at www.johnfordireland.org or www.ifi.ie. Images and interview requests to [email protected] or television +353 16624120.