See press release ["Teenage Kicks" - press release] - ["Teenage Kicks - The Undertones" screenings] [Derry News 2002-02-07] and [Uncut 2002-04].

PERFECT COUSIN PRODUCTIONS Ltd supported by the BBC, ARTS COUNCIL and IRISH FILM BOARD have recently completed their long awaited documentary on The Undertones. The BBC for transmission in Northern Ireland has set a provisional broadcast date of Thu 27th September. Although broadcast at present is regional, it's possible it may be network.

There are two versions of the film - the BBC will broadcast the 39-minute 'short version'. However, there's also a 72 minute 'film version' which will be screened in England from September onwards. A screening at the The London Film Festival in November is also a possibility.

Vinny writes :-

it's the first 'still' from the film!! This is the first time I've released it, so it's an exclusive for undertones.net!! Unfortunately, it doesn't include Paul as we were doing a whole piece about the first LP etc. Yes it is BULL PARK WalL. Talking about cover of first LP.

Photo by LORCAN DOHERTY whose Father incidentally took the original LP cover!!

22-Sep-2001

The Undertones and Vinny (producer) and Tom Collins (Director) after the films' first screening.

The Guardian

From The Guardian on Fri October 26 2001

Teenage Kicks - The Undertones (dir: Tom Collins)

Always a joy to revisit the Undertones and their happy teenage sound from the grimmest of places in the grimmest of times - 1970s Derry - and this documentary has to be worth a look. Pace Stiff Little Fingers, Feargal Sharkey and the Undertones offered their own, winningly sweet-natured "Alternative Ulster". Is there space here to give my own recollections of seeing them play live at the old Marquee club in Wardour Street? Sadly, no.

6.15pm, Nov 16, NFT2; 2pm, Nov 18, Ritzy

Liam Fay 11-11-2001 Sun Times

There was nothing staged about the seediness from which the Undertones emerged in war-torn 1970s Londonderry as we were reminded by Teenage Kicks (Wed, BBC1), an affectionate but unsentimental tribute to punk pop's finest purveyors of songs about chocolate and girls.

Presented by veteran DJ John Peel, the group's most enduring fan, this was one of the best rockumentaries ever produced by Irish television. It was also a film about the brutality of provincial small-mindedness, as band members recalled the fist-and-boot assaults routinely launched upon them by peers who resented their attempts to stand apart from the cowed. Teenage kicks, indeed.

Wilke wrote :-

hi just got back from the undertones film well what can i say but great and even that does not do it justice well you lot over in england get set to see the best documentary about the band i can tell you that i found out something about the band that i never knew vinny what i say but its a masterpiece i just wish i could find the words to say how good it is the lads sporke from the heart about the start of the band and the end of in a every thing in between i`m still on a bhom can`t wait for the next gig noting more to say but brilliant and hope that when you see it you will know what i am talking about ps i just wish that could write a better review so talk to lot soon

Cork - Kino Cinema 14-Oct-2001

Vinny Writes:-

Not really a report but a recollection!!I arrived in Cork around 2.30pm, checked into the hotel and went to The Kino Cinema around 3.00pm to see what it looked like. It was lovely, one of those old arthouse cinemas that held around 220-230 people. The receptionist said 'can I help you ?' and I pretended that I was looking for tickets for the film that night and she said 'sorry we sold out about half an hour ago'. I couldn't pretend any longer and I said 'that's great as I am the Producer'!!!!!!!!Next part coming up--.

I have to do this as we have to do it in parts ? Later I met up with Damian at the guest registration place, got our free teeshirts and passes.Damian and I then went to The Savoy where coincidentally there was an Irish Film Board reception for new Irish films inc TEENAGE KICKS. The Savoy is entered thru a Shopping Centre Mall in the centre of Cork and is a really nice venue. The Recption we had was actually on the balcony overlooking the stage etc. It was like a very large version of the Mean Fiddler and a smaller version of The Astoria. It'll be agreat gig there in December. Later we met up with Paul, had a meal with the Cork Film Festival Crew and then went to the Screening at 9.00pm

The place was packed, during the film they had to turn people away.Before the showing, the Festival introduced Tom Collins(Director), myself, Damian and Paul to the crowd, to great applause!!Embarassing.The film was shown and it got an amazing round of applause at the end. We then had to do what's called a Q+A session, Questions from the audience and hopefully answers from us!!It went really well. Oh, I forgot to mention one of the famous Irish Undertones' fans, RODDY DOYLE the writer was there, in fact he'd stayed on in Cork an extra night just to see it!! We'd met him at The Savoy earlier and he was delighted to be introduced to Damian and Damian was delighted to be introduced to him!!

He really was a down to earth fella and a real Undertones fan. Anyway, afterwards we all headed to the Cork Opera House where the Cork Film team all meet up for a drink and a live band, who didn't come on until near 1.15am!!Cover versions etc, very good. After a few drinks, Damian and Paul were encouraged by the Festival Director, Mick Hannigan, a big fan, to come up and do TEENAGE KICKS!The place went wild, for the three minutes anyway of TK!!

The band then went off as they couldn't follow that could they ? After this the Cork Film Festival took us to a secret location for bottles and bottles of champagne declaring that it was the highlight of the festival.PS I don't like champagne, give me a good pint anyday, one glass is fine but after that your stomach starts to say 'give me me pint Vinny!'Well that's it, I'll

Not bore ye with the nightmare of journey home to Derry last nite, thanks to Aer Lingus. Thanks to Damian and Paul for getting there and all the Cork Film Festival people. John, Michael and Billy couldn't make it due to other commitments.See ye all on Fri night!!!!

Savoy Theatre

Teenage Kicks - The Undertones by Michael Hayden

from Regus London Film Festival.

'Here comes a strangest reflection'- In many ways, it's a typical rock and roll tale; school friends form group, make great records, split acrimoniously, reform years later attempting to recreate former glories. But The Undertones have been unfairly neglected and Teenage Kicks provides enough moments to mark them out as a very special band indeed. The vintage footage of the band celebrates the irresistible naivety of their music, exemplified in the still exhilarating introduction to their debut single, or the casual pop genius of rhyming 'cabbage' with 'University Challenge'. Journalist Eamon McCann offers a key quote, saying 'they sounded beautiful coming from an ugly place', and 70s Derry is evoked brilliantly, without hysteria or angst, fitting in a film about a band more famous for singing about chocolate and girls than armalites and barbed wire. In between performance clips both old and new are contributions from various acolytes, John Peel, such a devotee that he is tempted to have the lyrics to 'Teenage Kicks' carved on his gravestone, conducts articulate, passionate and funny interviews with all the band members, including Fergal Sharkey, who has been notoriously reluctant to talk about the old days. Hard to beat.

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TheUndertones.net/hummentary.htm