How to Cheat in the Leaving Certificate
Encyclopedia
How To Cheat In The Leaving Certificate (1998) is an independent film directed by Graham Jones, in which six teens devise a plan to cheat on their Leaving Certificate
. The film was shot in black and white on Super 16mm. After being hailed by critics it was blown up to 35mm for theatrical distribution. Many well known Irish faces made cameo appearances and some commentators regard the 2004 American movie The Perfect Score
as a remake.
publicly and explicitly condemned the film, leading to a number of front page tabloid stories and subsequent coverage in broadsheets, on television and radio. In part, anxiety was due to the timing of the film's release, which occurred a few months before the annual exams. Other projects by Graham Jones such as Fudge 44
and Traveller Wedding
have also caused controversy.
's debut album, Eleanor McEvoy
and Parachute by Something Happens
are some of the tracks featured in the film.
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
. The film was shot in black and white on Super 16mm. After being hailed by critics it was blown up to 35mm for theatrical distribution. Many well known Irish faces made cameo appearances and some commentators regard the 2004 American movie The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score is a teen heist film released in 2004 and directed by Brian Robbins. It stars Erika Christensen, Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg, Scarlett Johansson, Darius Miles, and Leonardo Nam....
as a remake.
Plot
Upon being caught cheating in his Leaving Certificate and therefore banned from taking the exam for another three years, a young boy commits suicide. A close friend of his subsequently plots to cheat in his own Leaving Certificate in order to get revenge against the system. With the help of a rag-tag group of friends this young man organizes a complex scheme to steal copies of the test papers from the Department of Education and, upon winning, show the world he has beat the system.Controversy
A few weeks before it went on general release in Ireland the Junior Minister for Education Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála for the Limerick City constituency. He served as the Minister for Defence from September 2004 until 18 February 2010, when he resigned from his post due to controversy over a defamation case.-Early and private life:O'Dea was born...
publicly and explicitly condemned the film, leading to a number of front page tabloid stories and subsequent coverage in broadsheets, on television and radio. In part, anxiety was due to the timing of the film's release, which occurred a few months before the annual exams. Other projects by Graham Jones such as Fudge 44
Fudge 44
Fudge 44 is a 2005 film from Irish director Graham Jones. It is a mockumentary about six puppets in an insolvent Tokyo children's puppet theatre who locals believe came to life and robbed a nearby bank to avoid being put out of business....
and Traveller Wedding
Traveller Wedding
Traveller Wedding is a 2009 eNovel by Irish filmmaker Graham Jones.The story is narrated by a nomadic woman called Christine who is furious at the release of a violent videogame about a traveller wedding and determined to tell the story of her people more authentically.-External links:*...
have also caused controversy.
Music
I Hear You Breathing In from Eleanor McEvoyEleanor McEvoy
Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland's most accomplished contemporary singer/songwriters. McEvoy composed the song Only A Woman's Heart, title track of A Woman's Heart, the best-selling Irish album in Irish history.-Biography:...
's debut album, Eleanor McEvoy
Eleanor McEvoy (album)
Eleanor McEvoy is the 1993 studio album debut of Eleanor McEvoy, released on Geffen Records. International radio hits followed with the release of the two main singles "Apologise" and "A Woman's Heart". McEvoy toured the USA, Europe and the Far East in support of the album and racked up...
and Parachute by Something Happens
Something Happens
Something Happens were an Irish pop-rock band whose heyday was the late 1980s – early 1990s. An earlier incarnation of the band was called 'The Dazzmen' and was fronted by singer Martin Lynch who left the band and became the frontman for another early 1980s Dublin band 'The Cracker Factory'. After...
are some of the tracks featured in the film.
External links
- Critic reviews at tadhg.com
- Graham Jones Official Website