The Irish Film Festival 2022 will showcase a total of 16 films, including 13 Australian Premieres. 10 of the films will be screened in Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra from 25 August – 25 September, while 7 of these join an additional 6 films available for streaming as part of the online festival from 30 September – 16 October.
This year’s program includes moving dramas, inspiring documentaries, eerie horrors, darkly funny comedies, and captivating family films. Festival award-winners include Redemption of a Rogue, Steps of Freedom, The Cry Of Granuaile, You Are Not My Mother, An Cailín Cúin (The Quiet Girl), Let the Wrong One In, Young Plato and Who We Love.
The opening night film, Steps of Freedom, is an award-winning documentary about how Irish dance has become a global phenomenon.
Our family film is the award-winning, Into The West, complete with an all-star cast including Gabriel Byrne, Ellen Barkin, Colm Meaney and Brendan Gleeson, which returns to the silver screen thirty years after its release.
A number of directorial debuts are included in the program such as Philip Doherty’s black comedy, Redemption of a Rogue, Kate Dolan’s ominous horror, You Are Not My Mother and Colm Bairéad’s deeply moving Irish-language film, The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Cúin).
“Film as a medium, film as an art-form and film as entertainment is unique in its ability to bring us inside another culture. When you marry Irish people’s ability to tell stories; our need to share enjoyment and our strong connection to our heritage, you achieve the irresistible cocktail of culture and craic that is the Irish Film Festival.
I hope the films on show finds their audience in Australia. Pick your favourites or binge them all. I am sure that any time invested in each and all the titles will be well-rewarded.” Irish Ambassador to Australia, Tim Mawe.
The not-to-be-missed Irish Film Festival Opening Nights in each city will be preceded by a Gala reception with complimentary drinks and live Irish music from 7pm.
Other films of note include:
Steps of Freedom
The film is Writer/Director Ruán Magan’s award-winning documentary of how Irish dance has progressed to become a global phenomenon. Beautifully shot and mesmerising to watch, Steps of Freedom traces the history and development of Irish dance over the past 2,000 years. Steps of Freedom was the WINNER – Best International Feature Film and WINNER – Best Original Music Score at the International Black and Diversity Film Festival in Toronto in February.
An Cailín Cúin (The Quiet Girl)
Rural Ireland 1981. Cáit, a quiet, neglected girl is sent away from her overcrowded, dysfunctional family to live with foster parents. Under their care, Cáit blossoms and discovers a new way of living, but in this house where affection grows and there are not meant to be any secrets, she discovers one painful truth. WINNER – Best Feature Film, Berlin International Film Festival 2022. WINNER – Discovery Award, Director, Dublin International Film Festival 2022. WINNER – Audience Award, Dublin International Film Festival 2022 and WINNER – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress in a Lead Role, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022.
Love Yourself Today
Damien Dempsey’s inspiring mix of Irish folk and social commentary strikes a resonant chord, exploring themes of addiction and trauma, positivity and hope. This film is about the power of music to heal. It examines the relationship between the artist and his audience by focusing on the lives of three individuals who’ve been affected by Dempsey’s music. It has recommendations from both Brian Eno and Christy Moore.
You Are Not My Mother
In a North Dublin housing estate Char’s bedridden mother, Angela goes missing. When Angela the following evening without explanation, it becomes clear that something is amiss. Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family. WINNER – Discovery Award, Dublin International Film Festival 2022 and WINNER – Best Film Gérardmer Film Festival 2022.
Young Plato
In Belfast’s Ardoyne, Kevin McArevey, a primary school headmaster is determined to change the fortunes of an inner-city community plagued by urban decay, sectarian violence, drugs and poverty. McArevey and his dedicated team illustrate how philosophy can encourage children to question the mythologies of war and violence and challenge the narratives of their families, peers and socio-economic status. WINNER – Human Rights Film Award, Dublin International Film Festival 2022. WINNER – Social Impact Award, Greenwich International Film Festival 2022. WINNER – Best Feature Documentary, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022.
Redemption Of A Rogue
A prodigal son returns to his hometown of Cavan to farewell his dying father and make amends for past wrongs. When his father dies, the heavens open, commencing a deluge of biblical proportions that throws everyone’s lives into disarray. Jimmy must face his past to find the path to his salvation. Writer/Director Philip Doherty’s debut production was the WINNER at the Bucharest Comedy Film Festival 2021 and WINNER – Best Debut Irish Feature at the Galway Film Fleadh 2020.
The Cry Of Granuaile
An American filmmaker reeling from the death of her mother enlists the help of a young Irish academic on a trip to the west of Ireland to research a film about Granuaile, the legendary 16th century pirate queen and “nurse to all rebellions.” As the two women journey towards a remote Atlantic Island, lines begin to blur between memory and history, dream and reality. WINNER – EX AEQUO Award for Best Performance and WINNER – Best Music at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2022.
Into The West
This award-winning Irish classic complete with an all-star cast returns to the cinema screen thirty years after its release. A mysterious white stallion appears to a Traveller grandfather and his two grandsons in a Dublin’s run-down Ballymun. Since the younger of the two boys is the only one who can control the horse, ownership falls to him and his older brother. With their father, the police and an underhand horse breeder all chasing the stallion, the boys escape on their steed to begin an inspiring journey into the west of Ireland.
Who We Love
The story of Lily, a girl with a secret, on the cusp of becoming a young woman. With her best friend, the fiercely loyal and flamboyant Simon, she navigates the treacherous waters of school life. When a misunderstanding with the beautiful and popular Violet leads to a vicious attack, Lily is faced with the greatest challenge of her young life. WINNER – Best Narrative Feature Kerry Film Festival 2022
Let the Wrong One In
Young supermarket worker Matt, who is a little too nice for his own good, discovers that his older, estranged brother Deco has turned into a vampire. Matt’s faced with a dilemma: will he risk his own life to help his sibling? Or will he stake him before he spreads the infection further? The film stars upcoming Irish talent Karl Rice and Eoin Duffy, along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer icon Anthony Head, in the role of Henry; a taxi driver with a sideline in vampire hunting. (Vampires are no strangers to Ireland – Dublin-born Bram Stoker wrote the original gothic horror story Dracula in 1897) WINNER – Best Visual Effects, Dublin International Film Festival 2022.
FESTIVAL DETAILS
When: In cinemas August 25th – September 25th
Online September 30th – October 16th.
Where: Irish Film Festival Cinema Tour Dates
25-28 August – Sydney – The Chauvel Cinema
1-4 September – Melbourne – Kino Cinema
8-11 September – Brisbane – Palace Barracks
15-18 September – Perth – Palace Raine Square
22-25 September – Canberra – The Palace Electric Cinema
Tickets: Cinema tickets go on sale Friday 5th August.
Single ticket: $23
Concession ticket $19
10 x e-Ticket $139 for Palace Movie Club members (free sign up)
Opening Night only (Steps of Freedom) Thurs night in each city*
Single ticket: $39 (includes complimentary drinks and live music)
Concession ticket $35
Palace Movie Club: $35
*Not available as part of e-Ticket x 10 pack
Ticket sales: http://www.irishfilmfestival.com.au
Online tickets on sale September 9th.
Sydney Arts Guide has some double passes to give away to Festival screenings in Sydney at the Chauvel cinema. The Guide has three double passes to give away to the screening of ‘The Cry Of Granuaile’ on Sunday 28th August at 2.30pm. The Guide also has three double passes to give away to the film ‘Redemption Of A Rogue’. To win one of the double passes email the Editor saying what you most like about Irish cinema. Winners will be advised by email
editor.sydneyartsguide@gmail.com
Featured image : A scene from the opening night ‘Steps Of Freedom’.