One Man's Hero was premiered during West Belfast's annual arts extravaganza, Feile an Phobail (The People's Festival), on Monday night.

The movie tells the story of Irish soldiers who fought with Mexico against the US when it annexed part of Mexico to create Texas, back in the 1840s.

The Hollywood actor, who previously starred in the Oscar nominated Irish film, The Field, plays the part of John Riley, an Irish man who deserts to the Mexican army.

Americans as 'oppressors'

The movie is likely to get a cool reception when it opens in the US in September as it reportedly presents a version of the war that depicts the Americans as oppressors.

Tom Berenger plays the part of an Irish-born Mexican hero

Riley was a Galway man who emigrated to the US to become the drill sergeant at the prestigious West Point military academy.

He deserted with a brigade of Irish colleagues to the Mexican side because he felt that the US Army discriminated against them because of their nationality.

They fought under the banner of the San Patricios, a Mexican army brigade named in honour of St Patrick, and are still remembered in Mexico for their heroism in battle.

In Belfast, however, the movie premiere was warmly received, even though Alamo hero Davy Crockett, one of the most famous American participants in the conflict, came from Co Tyrone.

Political flavour

The West Belfast festival boasts that it is the largest community arts event in Europe. It was established in 1988 to counter the negative image of the area generated by the Troubles.

The over-riding feature of its opening day was a carnival atmosphere generated by the festival parade, which featured a Titanic float.

Drummers beat out a festival rhythm in West Belfast

Many of the festival's events have an undeniable political flavour and it has always been controversial.

One of the featured events this year is a play that depicts a nationalist perception of the RUC as sectarian killers.

Forced Upon Us was refused grant aid by the Northern Ireland Arts Council on "quality grounds", leading to criticism of the decision by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Controversial singer Sinead O'Connor was also scheduled to take part in the festival, but withdrew because she said that organisers would not allow her to speak out against punishment beatings during her concert.

Festival organisers said that a concert stage was an inappropriate platform for political statements and unsuccessfully invited the recently ordained priest to participate in one of the week's many political debates.