This clever little film from nearly 20 years ago has apparently been the bane of Gaelic students ever since it came out. I only just came across it recently through a clip someone posted to TikTok. Before COVID-19 interrupted my plans last year, I had booked flights and a hotel to study Romanian for a week in Bucharest. One of my fears is that I'd get there and everyone would want to speak English with me. At least I'd be better off that this young man was initially.
Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom (My Name Is Yu Ming) is the story of a young Chinese man, who is disillusioned with his dead-end job at a supermarket. A spin of the globe leads him to choose Ireland as the destination for his new life and further research informs him that the official language of that country is Gaelic. Arriving in Dublin speaking the language, he is puzzled when nobody can understand him.
Written and Directed by Daniel O'Hara Produced by Grainne O'CarrollThe short film, shot on DVCam, was funded through the Filmbase/TG4 Lasair scheme. For more details on the scheme visit http://www.filmbase.ie/awardsYu Ming is Ainm Dom was released in Irish cinemas in October 2003 with Jim Sheridan's 'In America', was shortlisted for an Academy Award and has won a total of eighteen awards at film festivals in Ireland and around the globe, including:Best Irish Short & Best First Short - Galway Film Fleadh 2003Best Comedy - Aspen Shortsfest 2004Best Young Director - Broadcast/BBCYoung Talent Awards 2004Best Irish Language Production - IFTAs 2004
