Happy Level 3! Sort of.
The shops are trading, the restaurants are serving, and the cinemas are finally back open.
To mark the occasion, Screen Ireland have released the trailers for six new Irish movies coming to cinemas this month - so if you were planning on supporting local arts in the lead up to Christmas, you know what to do.
Go see one of these films, obviously.
Wolfwalkers
Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s Wolfwalkers is the Cartoon Saloon-produced animated adventure that has received almost unanimous critical acclaim since its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.
The film has been widely tipped to be in the running for Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards next year, with international critics calling it “the best animated film of the year.” Out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAZNo285RT0
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan
Julien Temple’s Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan is a documentary chronicling the turbulent and unruly life of the punk folk icon and leader of The Pogues.
Winning the Jury Prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival in October, The Guardian called Crock of Gold “hugely entertaining and revealing” and The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “richly researched, consistently entertaining documentary that should appeal beyond narrow fan circles.” Out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7D0YRE0oE
A Girl From Mogadishu
Mary McGuckian’s A Girl From Mogadishu is a powerful, inspiring film based on the true story of global gender based violence activist, Ifrah Ahmed.
Starring Aja Naomi King as Ifrah Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi and Orla Brady, it follows the activist’s journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States where she is trafficked to Dublin, and her emergence as a formidable campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation around the world. Out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7D0YRE0oE
Two by Two: Overboard!
The Galway-produced animated feature, this movie sequel to the 2015 family adventure retelling the story of Noah’s ark. Two by Two: Overboard! was initially released in October in the UK, where the film topped the UK box office, a remarkable achievement for an Irish film and a particularly significant achievement in light of COVID-19 challenges, the film’s sound and picture post-production completed under lockdown in Ireland. Out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf1LcI6dekk
The Racer
Kieron J. Walsh’s The Racer is the cycling drama following a ‘Domestique’ support rider on the Irish portion of the infamous 1998 Tour de France, also known as the ‘Tour du Dopage’.
Due to premiere at SXSW, which was cancelled due to Covid-19, the film received strong reviews on its Irish Premiere at the 65th Cork International Film Festival. Out December 11.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sIQIwczfE4
Songs for While I'm Away
The highly anticipated Phil Lynott documentary Songs For While I’m Away from Emmy Award-winning director Emer Reynolds is “a sweet, sad trip down memory lane”.
Following the life and music of the legendary Thin Lizzy frontman, the documentary tells the story of how a young black boy from working class 1950s Dublin became Ireland’s greatest rock star. Out December 26.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6bz2WXoCa4
