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Michael Flatley at the Monaco Streaming Film Festival last year DPA/PA Images

Michael Flatley's first feature film is to be shown in Irish cinemas this year

Mystery has surrounded the production of spy thriller ‘Blackbird’, which was made in 2018.

MICHAEL FLATLEY’S spy film ‘Blackbird’ is set to be shown in Irish cinemas this autumn.

The film was made in 2018 has never had a full release until now – it’s due to land in Irish cinemas on 2 September.

It stars Flatley himself as a secret agent who retires to the Caribbean to open a nightclub.

The Lord of the Dance also wrote, directed and financed the film.

Flatley said today: “I’m thrilled to be releasing Blackbird in cinemas across Ireland. The pandemic has brought about many unprecedented production delays, but we’re finally there.

“As well as filming on location in Barbados and the UK, we filmed many scenes in Ireland, so premiering here was always the first choice. There’s nothing more breath-taking than the Irish landscape.”

The film also stars The thriller also stars Eric Roberts of The Dark Knight and Irish actor Patrick Bergin, who starred in Sleeping With The Enemy, Nicole Evans and Ian Beattie.

Sinead O’Connor also wrote a song for the film.

Flatley said: “We’ve all put a lot into this project, and for me it’s very personal. This was a new endeavour for me professionally and something I’ve always wanted to do.”

‘Blackbird’ has been shrouded in mystery since it premiered at the 2018 Raindance Film Festival in London. No reviews were written about the film following its screening, and it went largely unnoticed online at the time.
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It has been shown at a number of private screenings, including at the Stella cinema in Dublin, but there has been no word about a general release until now.

The film opened the 2021 Monaco Streaming Film Festival, where Flatley won the Best Actor award, raising a few eyebrows among critics.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he denied the endeavour was a vanity project, despite his writing, directing, producing and acting credits.

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    Mute Lee King Buckett
    Favourite Lee King Buckett
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:49 PM

    Was a global pandemic, a war and a cost of living crisis not enough!!!

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Jul 14th 2022, 8:21 PM

    A lot of bad stuff here about Michael Flatley. None of it is cool or accurate. If you’re allergic to his success that’s one thing,
    But please don’t misrepresent him. It’s so typically Irish to begrudge a guy who has made it. Michael is a gentleman. Anyone who knows him, knows it. He sat in a hospital and held my sick mother’s hand for an hour. He didn’t know her, but knew who she was and that she had a connection to his former dance teacher in years gone by. He sent flowers. He called to check her progress. He looks after everyone who is in his company. He’s a great businessman and an enormous talent. He’s one of the best traditional Irish flutists I’ve ever heard.

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Jul 14th 2022, 8:22 PM

    @Shane McGrath: Entreprenuers try things. It takes balls to try things. He has tried things, most worked and a few didn’t. But that doesn’t make him obnoxious. He’s still trying things. Good luck and more power to you Michael. Keep on winning.

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    Mute Dave Omihuly
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    Jul 14th 2022, 8:41 PM

    @Shane McGrath: totally agree with you and lets not forget anything the guy dose turns to gold he never dose anything half assed ..he put Ireland on the map with Riverdance and we have flogged it to death around the world …so why not support the guy because even tho he make millions he promotes Ireland better than most of our so called icons

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    Mute Jen Mc
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    Jul 14th 2022, 10:23 PM

    @Shane McGrath: the lad is a supporter of Gemma O’Doherty and belives in the “great replacement” so he can absolutely get in the bin.

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Jul 17th 2022, 10:03 AM

    @Jen Mc: I’m shocked to hear that.

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    Mute Madra
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:52 PM

    Haven’t we suffered enough

    119
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    Mute Eoin Roche
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:53 PM

    “It stars Flatley himself as a secret agent….” well, at least Gift Grub will get some new oxygen for their very tired and worn out schtick.

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    Mute Wooden Spoon
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:49 PM

    Threat Level Midnight vibes

    59
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    Mute Stephen Walshe
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    Jul 14th 2022, 9:37 PM

    Irish begruggery at full flow on here everyone of ye would love to be in his position, ye might not make his choices but would love to be able to have those choices. Sickening to see the irish puller their own down like that. He is and was a monument success I say fair play to him

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    Mute The Divils Avocado
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    Jul 14th 2022, 11:11 PM

    @Stephen Walshe: ah lighten up, I think he’s great and I met the man only recently and he’s a nice guy, and yes, I’d love to be in he’s position, but you must admit, it’s very “Micheal Scott-esque”. He’s some man to dance though!

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    Mute James Bong
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:59 PM

    He’s put his foot in it now

    27
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    Mute Xanadu Marmalade
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    Jul 14th 2022, 7:53 PM

    This looks awesome.

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    Mute Brian Sherry
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:15 PM

    It’s no Fatal Deviation that’s for sure

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    Mute Wooden Spoon
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    Jul 14th 2022, 5:59 PM

    https://youtu.be/xU7UEhapn1I

    Trailer just dropped lol

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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:13 PM

    @Wooden Spoon: oh sweat jezz, I got 37 seconds into it and couldn’t take it anymore.

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    Mute alan
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:21 PM

    @Wooden Spoon: just watched it. Looks like a bond film made by Eurosaver. Which has potential. Dress up in their fancy dress outfits, fake guns, imitation martini, don their reading glasses for gravity, throw in a few Eurosaver Girls and off you go. Fight imminent takeover by Evil empire Dealz

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:29 PM

    @Wooden Spoon: “Blackbird is dead”

    Bout sums it up.

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    Mute Jerriko17
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:55 PM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: I braced meself and nearly watched the whole thing…. Should have listened to you!!! I have to admit I saw his Lord of the Dance show… Free tickets, I swear!!!!… It was brutal. Macho posing at its worst and this looks like more of the same only worse, if that’s possible.

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    Mute Brendan O' Gorman
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    Jul 14th 2022, 8:42 PM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: if it’s as bad as the trailer then I for one am looking forward to the sequel. ‘Bless me father for I have sinned…. .again’ . The clue is in the script.

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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jul 14th 2022, 7:03 PM

    What frame rate did they shoot it in to capture his rapidly moving legs.

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    Mute Dave Omihuly
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    Jul 14th 2022, 9:01 PM

    Ya have to love Patrick Bergen tho …class actor

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:29 PM

    Carry on Blackbird.

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    Mute DamoS
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:26 PM

    I try to positive about things but… This guy is obnoxious and I long for the day when I never hear or see the sight of this egocentric person.

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    Mute Ian Byrne
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:40 PM

    @DamoS: So you’ve met him a few times to form your positive opinion?
    I’ve never met him, but Riverdance and Lord of the Dance has brought joy to a hell of a lot of people, You, not so much…

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    Mute DamoS
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    Jul 14th 2022, 6:44 PM

    @Ian Byrne: you enjoy them & him as is your right. I would never deny anyone their own interests. I am entitled to my opinions too. A quick glance at the reactions on this thread might suggest I am not alone.

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    Mute Stephen Walshe
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    Jul 14th 2022, 9:39 PM

    @DamoS: opinions on people who couldn’t even begin to understand how hard he has work and how success he is… yeah really valued and educated opinions mate lol

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    Mute The Divils Avocado
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    Jul 14th 2022, 8:05 PM

    “Threat Level Midnight 2″ Staring Michael Scarn

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    Mute Keth Warsaw
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    Jul 15th 2022, 10:16 AM

    This could go either way. I’m intrigued.

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Jul 15th 2022, 11:57 AM

    From the trailer it looks like absolute drivel!

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