US BOYS (orig. Me pojat)

52´

By LIONEL MILL

"Us Boys" is a story about Ernie Morrow, an 80-year-old bachelor farmer from the Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland. Without electricity, modern comforts and chemical fertilisers the farm "Old Church" stands still in time, representing an era of people and a country way that will soon be gone forever. It is a Spartan harsh life. Indeed the lifestyle of Ernie is one that his forefathers would easily connect to, only a tractor replacing the horse.

Despite loosing his life long partner, and younger brother Stewart a year ago to an old people´s home, Ernie still farms with a resolute passion holding twenty cattle, a hundred sheep and countless fowl. His life contains one room in the farm – welcoming but dank with minimal furnishings, a coal and wood burning stove and a couch that also works as a bed – it is truly his bachelor´s den. Rarely washing, and living on a diet of white bread, potatoes, cigarettes, tea and fresh air Ernie does about his life.

Dedicated to the memory of Stewart Morrow.

Producer: Brian Willis

Executive producers: Jonathan Willis, Dan Egan

Camera: David Barker

Editing: James E. Dalton

Recording: David Kilpatrick

Sound editing: Anne Gielty, Mick Mahon

Mixer: Richard King

Opening song: "MOURNE MAGGIE O" / Tom McClung, Outlet Recording Co.Ltd

Finishing song: "FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE", Hughie McAlindon, Outlet Recording Co.Ltd

The original music: Ear Two Ear

In co-production with: Bord Scannan na Heireann / The Irish Film Board

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland´s

National Lottery Fund

The Cultural Traditions Group

RTE - Radio Telefis Eireann

YLE TV1

Outi Rousu / KROMA PRODUCTIONS Ltd.