Chicken (2001 film)

Chicken is a 2001 Irish short film directed by Barry Dignam about the way adolescent males sometimes redirect their feelings of affection for each other into often violent or competitive activities such as games of chicken.

For the 2016 film, see Chicken (2016 film).
Chicken
Directed byBarry Dignam
Produced byBarry Dignam
Written byAudrey O'Reilly
StarringDarren Healy
Niall O'Shea
CinematographyPeter Robertson
Edited byJames Finlan
Production
company
Hit and Run Productions
Bord Scannán na hÉireann
Release date
  • 1 March 2001 (2001-03-01) (UK)
  • August 2002 (2002-08) (Ireland)
Running time
3 minutes
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Mick (Darren Healy) and Kev (Niall O'Shea) spend a late afternoon near railroad tracks by the seaside where Mick teaches Kev how to "shotgun" beer for reasons then unknown to the viewer. He observes that Kev is "a bit of a wuss" after he fails to replicate the proper shotgunning technique and calls for Kev to come sit close to him for a test of courage, the knife game, which involves stabbing a knife between outstretched fingers at an ever-faster rate. The game is usually played with one person's hand at a time and as a gesture of what may be seen as self-sacrifice, Mick puts his hand over Kev's in order to shield Kev's hand from the brunt of an injury should it occur.

When a train speeds by them, Mick accidentally cuts Kev and himself very slightly with the knife. They clasp each other's hands tightly and Mick, who suddenly seems very insecure and in need of affection is lovingly embraced by Kev, who perhaps has known all along why Mick brought him here.

A single screen of credits appears, then the film ends with a brief shot of the two in silhouette, standing apart, watching the sun set over the ocean.

Production

Chicken was shot over two days on 35 mm film with a Dolby Digital soundtrack.

The title of the short film is a double entendre, since "chicken" is also a slang term for a young homosexual.[1]

Awards and accolades
Film FestivalCategoryYearOutcome
2001 Cannes Film Festival[2]Short Film Palme d'Or2001Nominated
Dublin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival[3]Best Short Film2001Won
Newport International Film Festival[3]Jury Award for Best Short Film2001Won
Barcelona Gay & Lesbian Film Festival[3]Special Jury Commendation2001Won
BFI International London Lesbian & Gay Film FestivalJury Commendation Film Four TX Short Film Prize2002Won
Cabbagetown Film Festival, Toronto[4]Best Short Film2002Won

References
  1. "Chicken". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  2. "Official Selection 2001 – Short Films". Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  3. "Awards 2001". Irish Film Board. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  4. "2002 Lineup". Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.


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