Declan is a young teenager who can't stick secondary school. He drops out, attributing much of the problem to an unbearable maths teacher named Mr Ryan. Eventually, Declan ends up at a training centre where he meets none other than his old enemy. The maths teacher appears to be more miserable and bitter, and there are rumours about a drink and gambling problem.
Just as Declan is getting over the shock of coming across him again, a popular old man is robbed of £3,000 in savings and severely beaten. Following a tipoff, gardai arrive at the training centre, arrest Declan and find a large sum of money in his jacket pocket. Sitting in his cell, looking back on recent events, Declan realises he has been set up . . .
That's the rough story-line to a film, Looking Back, made by the Cara Youth Film Club Unit in Ballina, Co Mayo, which was premiered last week.
Supported by the Film Institute of Ireland's education and outreach project, it is one of two 10-minute films made by the youth club. The second, Milk, Bread, Sugar And A little Respect, is a documentary exploring the issues of discrimination against people with disabilities.
Also inaugurated last week in Ballina was Voice, the town's first community film and video group, which aims to build on the foundation laid by the outreach project, by offering groups and individuals the chance to acquire film-making skills.
For more information, contact Mr Andrew Clarke at (096) 73344.