By Cormac McCarthyThe Irish film industry has gone from strength to strength in the past few years. From this small island, we have made our mark on the global cinema landscape, both in front and behind the camera. And on display from the 5th to the 21st of November is the evidence of that talent. Boasting an impressive array selection that includes a wide range of foreign and domestically produced films from all genres, it is sure to be a terrific event for all ages and interests. The 66th festival kicked off on the fifth of November with screenings all around the city, where there was the chance to meet the cast and crews of these films in an up close and intimate environment. It is now in full swing and has been a tremendous success. Irish entries:
- Holy Island (Dir: Robert Mason) – Wednesday 10th, Everyman theatre. Released in stunning black in white, the film is about Rosa and David, a pair of lost souls living in a town at the end of its tether. A film about struggling with identity and isolation, it sees the pair attempting to leave the town to start a new life before it’s too late. Features a Q+A with the director.
- Where the Merrows Roam (Dir: Colin Hickey) - Sunday 7th, Triskel Arts Centre. A daring film, it forgoes dialogue and a distinct plot and uses only its score to punctuate the visuals. It is an experimental film that is an examination of the nature of childhood. It traces the innocence of adolescence through to the modern world. Featuring Q+A with director
- Foscadh (Dir: Seán Breathnach) – Monday 8th, Triskel Arts Centre. Ireland’s official entry into the 2022 foreign language category, this film is about the nature of family and what happens to those left behind. Literally translated as shelter, this Irish language film is a delicate piece about apprehension towards the future and struggling with fear.
Short Films:
- Irish shorts – The festival will be holding many nights of short films from all aspects of Ireland. It features an eclectic collection of films, both in fiction and in documentary form, that are sure to delight, intrigue, and shock. Ones to watch would be “Kettle”, directed by Dominic Curran, and “Faitíós”, directed by Martha Fitzgerald. All of these films will be judged by the committee and the winners will be unveiled on a special screening night in the Everyman on Friday, November 12th at 5.
- International shorts – Similar to the Irish shorts event, the international shorts competition will be a showcase of short films from all around the world. Ones to watch are “Blue”, directed by Frederic Bayer Azem, and “Some kind of Intimacy”, directed by Toby Bull. There are many nights of this showcase but be sure to go along to the selection of winners showcase. This will be held on November 12th at the Everyman theatre.
- Cork Shorts – This is a collection of locally sourced, gourmet Corkonian short films. This will feature shorts from our very own UCC Film & Screen Media as well as others from local filmmakers.
Ones to watch:
- Flee (Dir: Jonas Puher Rasmussen) – Friday, November 12th 8:15 pm, The Gate Cinema.
Amin came to Denmark as an unaccompanied minor fleeing the conflict in Afghanistan. Now, aged 36, he has become a successful academic and is about to settle into married life with his long-term partner, but then his past comes back to haunt him. Poher Rasmussen’s ingenious animated rendering of Amin’s refugee story makes for a tender and empathetic cinematic account of one person discovering how they are who they are.(Copy Written by Rohan Berry Crickmar)
- Memoria (Dir: Apichatpong Weerasethakul) – Saturday, November 6th, 7:45 pm, The Gate Cinema. Starring Tilda Swinton, we find our protagonist, Jessica Holland, in the Columbian jungle, attempting to find out the origin of a recurring sound that it seems only she can hear. A uniquely visual film, it showcases the beauty of the Colombian rainforest and its people.
Be sure to catch the program on the festival’s website. There is something for everyone. Enjoy.