Teeval: Princess of the Ocean

A brilliantly fun and funny new film retelling a Manx folktale has been released online by Culture Vannin.

‘Teeval: Princess of the Ocean’ is a traditional Manx tale, telling of how an Irish hero won a kingdom thanks to meeting a beautiful mermaid in the Isle of Man.

The plot revolves around ‘a hero prince, a mermaid princess, magic, and the best fight scene you will ever see!’

Filmed earlier in the year, the film is visually distinctive and joyful in part thanks to all the young actors wearing giant papier-mâché heads. These heads are used to great effect for some of the film’s funniest scenes, such as at the hilarious vision of Conchubar defeating his enemies in battle.

James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

‘We are very proud of the reputation we have built up for the quality of our films about the Isle of Man and Manx culture over the past few years. But we feel that this film adds something special, and that it will make a difference in opening up a way into Manx folklore, for everyone!’

The film was made around the beautiful landscape of Niarbyl with two young actors, Olivia and Nora, playing all of the parts. Both are pupils at the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, the Island’s (and world’s) only school which teaches through the medium of Manx Gaelic. The actors are fluent Manx speakers which allowed two versions of the film to be produced – in English and in Manx.

Ruth Keggin Gell, Manx Language Development Officer at Culture Vannin, and member of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee says:

‘The Manx language is one of the Island’s biggest success stories and something which we can all be enormously proud of. It is wonderful to work with the next generation of fluent speakers to create something wildly fun to help celebrate and share the language more widely.’

The film was co-produced by Culture Vannin and the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, which works to support broadcasting in the Manx language, including online. It was filmed by Dario Leonetti of Alt Lodge Co.

The film has received premiere showings for each of the two languages it is available in, first at a fund-raiser for Ballakilpheric Chapel in September, and then at the concert hosted by Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering Isle of Man as a part of the Cooish Manx language festival in the Peel Centenary Centre. Both received much laughter and applause, from full houses, especially for the young actors who received bouquets of flowers after the showing in Peel.

The two films are just over three minutes in length and are freely available to enjoy online, on the Culture Vannin website or YouTube pages. English version: ‘Teeval: Princess of the Ocean’. Manx version: Teeval: Ben-Phrinse ny Marrey.’

All images by Culture Vannin.