This Wednesday (13th November 2024) sees the start of “The Irish Film Festival” in London. This runs through until next Sunday. There looks to be a good selection of films to go to see, most happening at the Vue West End and the Vue Piccadilly.
As Sophie Toumazis writes…
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“Irish cinema has been booming, with films like “Kneecap”, “That They May Face the Rising Sun” and “Small Things Like These” (my review to follow shortly) proving really popular. However, this festival aims to shine a light on films that remain largely unseen outside of Ireland. With 350,000 people of Irish descent living in London alone, this is a great opportunity to showcase new and established Irish talent.
- “Mrs Robinson” is the first feature-length documentary about Ireland’s first female president who transformed the lives of women in the country.
- The 40th anniversary screening of Neil Jordan’s “Company of Wolves” will include a Q&A with the director. This iconic film launched Jordan’s career and began to put Irish film on the map.
- EAT/SLEEP/CHEER/REPEAT is an uplifting documentary which follows a troupe of male and female cheerleaders from Galway as they chase the dream of reaching Orlando, USA, for the World Championships of Cheer.
- “Housewife of the Year“, Ciarán Cassidy’s frank and eye-opening documentary lifts the lid on one of Ireland’s most popular, controversial and criticised TV shows.
- The festival will also screen the CPH: DOX 2024 award-winning and powerful documentary “The Flats“, directed by Alessandra Celessi, following the residents of a run-down estate in the heart of Belfast.”
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Plus…
I would also add to Sophie’s list the film that closes out the festival. “Bring Them Down” (click for my review) starring Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott. I saw this at the LFF a few weeks ago and would rate it.
You can find the listing of the films being shown here: https://iftuk.com/schedule which provides the links to buy tickets.
