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Movies & TV

28th Jul 2018

Superb Irish documentary The Farthest has been nominated for a couple of Emmy Awards

Dave Hanratty

Well deserved…

Released last year, The Farthest tells the story of the Voyager, a satellite sent out into the vastness of space working from technology less advanced than what you’d find in a hearing aid.

Along with all of the images and information it has sent back in the 40 years since it was launched, the documentary features some of the scientists involved in its creation, and their love for the project – and their love for science in general – is so all-consuming and contagious that you can’t help but get caught up in their passion.

Co-produced by the Irish Film Board, and from Irish director Emer Reynolds (who we chatted to when her movie hit Irish cinemas), The Farthest is a legitmate must-see.

Our own Rory Cashin previously hailed it as “one of the greatest Irish movies ever made” which is praise indeed.

A hit with seemingly all who laid eyes on it, the film boasts a rare 100% rating on critical aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with many lining up to praise the “truly astronomical” production.

And so it comes as no surprise to see The Farthest further honoured in the form of a pair of prestigious award nominations.

The 39th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards have selected the Irish doc to compete in the Outstanding Science and Technology Documentary category and for Outstanding Lighting Direction and Scenic Design.

The official Twitter account for The Farthest noted that the team are “chuffed” with the news, and rightly so.

“New technologies are opening up endless new doors to knowledge, instantly delivering news and information across myriad platforms,” said Adam Sharp, interim President and CEO of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

“With this trend comes the immense potential to inform and enlighten, but also to manipulate and distort.

“We honour the talented professionals who through their work and creativity defend the highest standards of broadcast journalism and documentary television, proudly providing the clarity and insight each of us needs to be an informed world citizen.”

The awards take place on 1 October and the full list of nominees can be found here.

Clip via TheFarthest Film

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