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Sixty Years of Devotion: A Love Story That Bridged Divides
In a groundbreaking achievement for Irish cinema, A Quiet Love stands out as the first Irish feature film to be produced by a collaborative team of deaf and hearing individuals, featuring a blend of Irish Sign Language (ISL) and British Sign Language (BSL).
John and Agnes Carberry's enduring love story has bridged the divide of their upbringing for over six decades, a testament to the power of love in the face of division.
In a rare instance of integration, a school in Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, brought together Catholic and Protestant deaf children, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn together, long before integrated education became the norm.
According to John, the deaf community was spared the sectarian tensions that plagued Northern Ireland, allowing him and Agnes to form a bond free from religious animosity, a phenomenon he attributes to the inclusive nature of the deaf community.
Hailing from different backgrounds, John, a Catholic from west Belfast, and Agnes, a Protestant from the Silent Valley, have navigated their differences to build a life together.
The award-winning documentary A Quiet Love, Ireland's first feature film in Irish Sign Language (ISL), showcases the couple's cross-community love story, one of three featured in the film, which has gained international recognition.
The documentary sheds light on the challenges faced by deaf individuals during The Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted nearly 30 years and resulted in the loss of over 3,500 lives.
John and Agnes recount the difficulties they faced, including disapproval from their families and society at large, as well as the perilous experience of living through bombings and gunfire without the ability to hear.
John's motivation for participating in the film was to share the experiences of deaf people during The Troubles, highlighting the often-overlooked impact of the conflict on their lives.
The couple's independence was severely curtailed during this period, as John explains, "Our social lives were greatly affected, and our autonomy was stripped away."
Despite the numerous challenges they faced, Agnes and John remain committed to the power of love, emphasizing its triumph over hate in their own story.
John notes that while many documentaries and books have focused on the darker aspects of The Troubles, their story offers a rare glimpse of hope and resilience.
Agnes adds that their love has been a beacon of peace and equality, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, love can prevail.
A Quiet Love is a groundbreaking film, produced by a deaf and hearing team, which incorporates both Irish Sign Language and British Sign Language, a first for an Irish feature film.
John expresses his delight at the film's ability to raise awareness about the existence of sign languages, saying, "It's wonderful to hear people say, 'I had no idea there were two languages existing here in Ireland'."
Agnes shares John's enthusiasm, adding, "It's marvelous to see both our languages on the big screen, giving us a sense of pride and representation."
The documentary tells the stories of three couples, including John and Agnes, as well as an LGBTQI+ couple, Kathy and Michelle, and a deaf boxer, Seán, and his hearing partner, Deyanna, each navigating their unique challenges.
Directed by Garry Keane and co-produced by Anne Heffernan and Seán Herlihy of Curious North Productions, the film is a testament to the power of love and community.
Garry Keane, who has worked with the deaf community for over a decade, considers the film one of the highlights of his career, a sentiment echoed by his collaborators.
Anne Heffernan was drawn to the intimacy and beauty of sign language, which she describes as "cinematic," and saw an opportunity to showcase the deaf community's stories in a unique and compelling way.
The film's focus on love stories was a departure from Garry's usual work in humanitarian filmmaking, but one that he found refreshing and inspiring.
The documentary's exploration of love and relationships in the deaf community offers a nuanced glimpse into a world often overlooked, but one that is full of beauty, complexity, and humanity.
Garry's experience working on the film was a welcome change from his usual fare, and he found the experience of documenting love stories to be a "lovely breath of fresh air."
The film has garnered international recognition, screening at festivals worldwide and winning numerous awards, including the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award at the Global Production Awards in Cannes.
However, the greatest accolade for the filmmakers has been the response from the deaf community, who have expressed their gratitude for the representation and validation the film provides.
Anne recalls the emotional reactions of audience members, who felt seen and heard through the film, and were able to connect with the stories on a deep level.
The film's impact on the deaf community has been profound, with many expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to see themselves reflected on screen.
Agnes and John's story, in particular, has resonated with audiences, offering a powerful reminder of the importance of love and acceptance.
The film has also provided an opportunity for the couple to share their story with a wider audience, including their own grandchildren, who had never heard it before.
For Agnes and John, the film is not just a love story, but a chance to raise awareness about the experiences of deaf people and to promote understanding and empathy.
As Agnes notes, "We're just people, with relationships, feelings, and emotions, just like anyone else," highlighting the importance of representation and inclusivity.
The couple's message is one of hope and love, emphasizing the power of relationships to transcend adversity and bring people together.
So, what is the secret to their enduring love?
John's response is simple: "Love," he says, is the key to their longevity.
"It's the foundation of our relationship," he explains, "and it's what has carried us through the ups and downs of life."
For Agnes and John, love is not just a feeling, but a choice, one that they have made every day for over 60 years.
A Quiet Love is now showing in selected cinemas across Ireland, offering audiences a chance to experience the beauty and power of love in all its forms.
News
Water Leak Affects 19th Century Artwork at Louvre Museum
The world’s most visited museum has been marred by a series of incidents, prompting growing scrutiny of its management.
The Louvre museum in Paris has experienced a significant setback due to a water leak that damaged a 19th-century ceiling painting, marking the latest in a series of challenges for the institution.
According to the museum, the water damage was discovered in room 707, also known as the "Duchâtel" room, on Thursday evening, with the room housing various artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The leak, which originated from a heating pipe, was reportedly stopped shortly after midnight, and the only artwork damaged was Charles Meynier's The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur and Le Brun, a ceiling painting.
This incident occurred just a day after French authorities detained nine individuals, including two museum staff members, in connection with an alleged ticket fraud scheme.
In recent months, the museum's management has faced increased scrutiny following a string of high-profile incidents, including the theft of French crown jewels and damage to hundreds of books due to a leak.
The Louvre reported that Thursday's leak occurred near the entrance to the paintings department in the Denon wing of the museum.
Firefighters responded promptly to the incident, and the leak was brought under control within 40 minutes of its discovery.
On Friday morning, a painting restorer assessed the damage to Meynier's ceiling painting and found that it had sustained two tears in the same area, as well as lifting of the paint layer on the ceiling and its arches.
The damaged ceiling painting, which dates back to 1822 and is signed by Meynier, depicts renowned French painters Nicolas Poussin, Eustache Le Sueur, and Charles Le Brun surrounded by angelic figures in the clouds.
As a precautionary measure, rooms 706, 707, and 708 in the Denon wing were closed on Friday morning but are expected to reopen later in the day.
The chief architect of historic monuments visited the site to evaluate the condition of the ceiling and determined that there were no structural issues.
A union representative informed Reuters that scaffolding had been erected in the affected area to facilitate repairs.
The extent of the damage to the painting and the building, as well as the associated costs, have not been disclosed.
This latest incident is part of a series of challenges faced by the Louvre, which is the most visited museum globally, in recent times.
In December, a leak in the Egyptian department damaged between 300 and 400 items, mostly books, with the museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, acknowledging that the issue had been known for years.
The previous month, the museum had to partially close one of its galleries featuring Greek vases and offices due to structural weaknesses.
This incident followed a high-profile burglary on October 19, in which four individuals stole historic jewelry valued at €88 million, exposing significant security gaps at the museum.
The thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony overlooking the River Seine.
Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, which is still being investigated by the French authorities.
The majority of the stolen items remain unrecovered, and the museum has since relocated some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
A report published by France's public audit body in October criticized the museum's excessive spending on artwork, stating that it had come at the expense of building maintenance and renovation.
News
UAE Beats Canada in T20 World Cup Thanks to Sharma
The United Arab Emirates boosted their chances of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s after Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74 helped secure a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada.
The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the T20 World Cup Super 8s, thanks in large part to Aryansh Sharma's impressive unbeaten 74, which helped secure a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada.
A recent match saw the UAE emerge victorious against Canada, enhancing their chances of advancing to the Super 8s in the T20 World Cup.
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Russell Describes Red Bull’s Advantage as Highly Intimidating
Mercedes driver George Russell notes that Red Bull’s lead at the forefront of the Formula 1 pack has been particularly noteworthy, revealing a significant gap that has caught the attention of many in the sport.
As George Russell enters his fifth season with Mercedes, the team is gearing up for a new challenge in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
According to Mercedes driver George Russell, Red Bull's current advantage at the front of the pack is a significant concern, with the team's performance in the first pre-season test at Bahrain being particularly noteworthy.
Russell described the display of speed by Red Bull in Bahrain as a "wake-up call" for their competitors, highlighting the team's impressive pace in the first of two pre-season tests.
The British driver noted that Red Bull's lead is substantial, with a gap of around half a second to a full second per lap, which is a considerable margin in the context of Formula 1.
Russell expressed his surprise at the scale of Red Bull's advantage, stating that it is unsettling to see such a significant difference in performance, especially given Red Bull's history of producing competitive cars, even when their engine was not the strongest.
The 2026 season marks the most significant rule change in Formula 1 history, with new specifications for engines, chassis, tires, and fuel, which promises to shake up the competitive landscape.
As a result of these changes, energy management has become a critical aspect of the sport, with engines now producing approximately half of their total power output from the electrical component, and limited battery capacity.
Rivals have analyzed GPS data from Red Bull's power unit during the Bahrain test, revealing that the team can sustain electrical energy deployment for longer periods than any of their competitors.
This achievement is all the more impressive considering that Red Bull has established its own engine company from scratch to comply with the new regulations and has partnered with Ford.
Last season, Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on the drivers' title, finishing just two points behind Lando Norris.
Russell stated that his team had observed Red Bull's strength from the outset of the 'shakedown' test in Spain last month, and their performance has been consistently impressive.
He noted that on the first day of testing in Barcelona, Red Bull immediately demonstrated a significant advantage over their competitors, including Mercedes, Ferrari, and others.
Russell acknowledged that Red Bull's performance in Bahrain has further solidified their position as the team to beat, at least for the time being.
Looking ahead to the first race of the season in Melbourne, Russell predicts that Red Bull will likely maintain their advantage, given their strong showing in both Barcelona and Bahrain.
However, Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has downplayed Mercedes' claims, suggesting that his team is not the benchmark, and instead, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren are currently ahead.
Wache argued that Red Bull's analysis indicates they are behind the top three teams, contrary to the assertions made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc believes that Mercedes is concealing their true potential and that Red Bull and Mercedes have posted the fastest times, followed closely by his own team.
The new cars have sparked a debate among drivers, with some enjoying the updated handling and ride, while others have expressed reservations about the changes.
On the second day of testing, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen disagreed on whether the new cars are enjoyable to drive, reflecting the mixed opinions among drivers.
Russell described the 2026 cars as "much nicer to drive" in terms of handling and ride compared to the previous season's cars, but noted that the engines are highly complex.
He cautioned against drawing conclusions too early, as the true challenges of the new engines and energy management systems will only become apparent at more demanding tracks like Melbourne or Jeddah.
Russell elaborated on a point made by Verstappen regarding the unusual driving styles required by the new engines, which demand careful management of energy recovery.
Drivers are having to adapt to unconventional techniques, such as using lower gears in corners to keep the engine revving and maximize energy recovery.
Russell provided an example from the Bahrain test, where he had to use first gear in a corner that would normally be taken in third gear, in order to maintain high engine revs and keep the turbo spinning.
He acknowledged that this approach can be counterintuitive and frustrating at times.
Russell used an analogy to illustrate the point, comparing it to driving a road car and being told to use first gear in a roundabout, which would be unconventional and unnecessary at normal speeds.
He emphasized that the car is not designed to handle such low gears in certain corners, but drivers are having to work around these limitations to optimize energy recovery.
Russell explained that the car's design is not suited for such low gears, but the need to maintain high engine revs and turbo boost necessitates this approach.
As a result, drivers are having to adapt their techniques to prioritize energy management over traditional notions of fast cornering.
Russell noted that the critical nature of energy levels in determining lap times means that driving around a corner in the fastest possible way may not always result in the best overall lap time.
In the past, drivers could focus on finding the quickest line through a corner, but now they need to consider the broader implications of their actions on energy levels and overall lap time.
Russell stated that drivers must now wait for a full lap to understand the impact of their decisions on energy levels, rather than being able to instantly assess the effectiveness of a particular line or technique.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin is reported to be around four seconds off the pace of the top teams, highlighting the significant gap they need to bridge to be competitive.
The 2026 Formula 1 cars have been on display in Bahrain, showcasing the new designs and technologies.
The sport has introduced new terminology, including "active aero" and "overtake mode," which reflect the changes brought about by the new regulations.
Russell has expressed his desire to compete directly with Verstappen, setting the stage for an exciting season of racing.
The 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with the biggest rule change in Formula 1 history, a new generation of drivers, and a fresh wave of technological innovation.
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