Divorcing Jack

This black comedy is set around the life of Northern Irish reporter Dan Starkey, a married drunk, who gets entangled in a web of political intrigue and Irish sectarian violence, at the same time as Northern Ireland is set to elect a new Prime Minister. Starkey soon gets out of his depth when he becomes involved in a politically motivated murder. He hooks up with the ex-girlfriend of a vicious local criminal. He gets booted out of home for his infidelity, has a murderer on his tail, and must try to write the story of his life in order to save his journalism job. Along the way, he gets help from a stripper dressed as a nun and goes undercover dressed as Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

Divorcing Jack by Colin Bateman (Harper Collins) ISBN-10: 0006479030 ISBN-13: 978-0006479031

The novel was awarded the 1994 Betty Trask Prize by the Society of Authors, for the best debut by a writer under the age of 35. Bateman adapted his own book as the screenplay. Filming Locations: Bangor, County Down; Belfast; Donaghadee, County Down; Pomeroy, County Tyrone (‘Crossmahart’ village)

Several writers have responded to the troubles with farce and comedy.

Courtesy Nik Powell, Executive Director, Scala Films