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Aidan Walsh: Master of the Universe

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Aidan Walsh: Master of the Universe
DVD cover
Directed byShimmy Marcus
Production
company
Release date
  • 2000 (2000)
Running time
70 minutes[1]
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish
Budget€70,000

Aidan Walsh: Master of the Universe is an Irish documentary film exploring the life of Aidan Walsh, directed by Shimmy Marcus.[2] Funded partially by the Irish Film Board and filmed over four years, the documentary was released in October 2000.[1][3]

Synopsis

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Encouraged by friends in the music industry, Aidan Walsh becomes an unlikely celebrity.[4]

Separated into a number of chapters, the film follows the life of the "eccentric" Walsh from his early life in a school for children with learning disabilities in Cork, through a number of music-industry and videography business ventures in Dublin, to his participation in the 1997 Irish general election.[4] The film includes commentary from Walsh's former business associates and contacts in the music industry, including musicians Simon Carmody (Golden Horde) and Gavin Friday (Virgin Prunes), radio presenters Gerry Ryan and Dave Fanning, and music journalist Richie Taylor.[5][6]

Cast

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Reception

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Aidan Walsh: Master of the Universe was screened at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2000 and the Cork Film Festival in October 2000.[1] In a review, published in The Irish Times in October 2000, the documentary is described as "immensely entertaining and surprisingly touching" and that it "rightly tackles attitudes to Walsh and whether we are laughing with or at him".[3] The film received the "Best Feature Documentary" award at the Celtic Film and Television Festival in March 2001.[7][8][9]

Background

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The main subject of the film, Aidan Walsh (sometimes spelled Aiden Walshe), was born in Dublin in 1954.[10] He did not know his family, and spent his childhood in the Lota School for Boys in Cork.[4][11] After briefly attempting to join the Irish Army, he was discharged in 1972 and moved to Dublin.[10] Taking advantage of low rents in the then largely derelict Temple Bar, he briefly operated a videography company and co-founded a music recording and rehearsal studio.[4][12] With friends and connections in the city's music industry (including Simon Carmody and Gavin Friday), he signed "Ireland's fastest ever record deal" in 1987.[10][13][14] After a number of attempted business ventures, Walsh contested the 1997 Irish general election, receiving just 43 first preference votes (0.12%) in the Dublin Central constituency.[10][15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Aidan Walsh – Master of the Universe". Irish Film & TV. Trinity College Dublin. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Aidan Walsh – Master of the Universe". hotpress.com. Hot Press. 1 April 2001. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "A terrifically twisted tale (Part 2)". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 27 October 2000. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Some men may very well be from Venus". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 28 October 2000. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Mr.Universe". hotpress.com. Hot Press. 20 March 2001. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  6. ^ Brady, Tara (7 September 2010). "Shimmying his way back into the limelight". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Members – Shimmy Marcus". sdgi.ie. Screen Directors Guild of Ireland. Retrieved 21 January 2021. Aidan Walsh – Master Of The Universe [..] Best Feature Documentary, Celtic Film and TV Festival
  8. ^ "Winners – Truro 2001". celticmediafestival.co.uk. Celtic Media Festival. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Celtic Film and Television Festival, Truro". iftn.ie. Irish Film & Television Network. 6 April 2001. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d Aherne, Bobby; van Vliet, Ruan (2014). D'You Remember Yer Man: A Portrait of Dublin's Famous Characters. New Island Books. ISBN 9781848403789.
  11. ^ Murphy, Peter (13 May 2007). "Last of the quarehawks". Irish Independent.
  12. ^ "LP: Aidan Walsh & The Master Plan – A Life Story Of My Life". gavinfriday.com. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Master Of The Universe Hits 55". showbiz.ie. ShowBiz Ireland. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2021. strange achievements such as landing the quickest record deal in pop music history
  14. ^ "Aidan Walsh Master of the Universe". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 21 January 2021. After just three live appearances he now has a record deal
  15. ^ "Candidates – Aidan Walsh". electionsireland.org. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
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