Six Irish Films Selected for the Toronto International Film Festival
The leading lights of the Irish film industry including Colin Farrell (In Bruges), Cillian Murphy (The Wind that Shakes the Barley), Brendan Gleeson (The Secret of Kells, Harry Potter), Neil Jordan (Michael Collins) and Ian Fitzgibbon (Spin the Bottle, A Film With Me In It) will all be travelling to the Toronto International Film Festival as a record six Irish feature films, produced with funding from Bord Scannan na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board will premiere at the event.
Neil Jordan's new film ONDINE which was filmed in Co. Cork last year, PERRIER'S BOUNTY starring Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson, TRIAGE starring Colin Farrell, the feature documentary film COLONY directed by Ross McDonnell and Carter Gunn and CRACKS starring Eva Green will all have their world premiere at this important international A-List festival, along with EAMON directed by Margaret Corkery, which will have its North American premiere.
The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world having previously showcased independent films such as Juno, Slumdog Millionaire and Little Miss Sunshine and takes place from September 10th - 20th.
Commenting on the wide range of Irish films selected for the festival this year Cameron Bailey, Director of the Toronto International Film Festival said 'We're thrilled to have such a strong selection of Irish films at Toronto this year. It's a testament to the health and diversity of Irish filmmaking and we're looking forward to bringing Ireland to a North American audience through these great movies."
Simon Perry, Chief Executive, Bord Scannan na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said "Selection by the Toronto Film Festival is one of the industry's most sought after badges of excellence. For Ireland to have this many films selected is evidence not only of last year's record quantity of production but also of a very high level of quality in Irish filmmaking."
PERRIER'S BOUNTY is produced by Alan Moloney of Parallel Films (Intermission, Breakfast on Pluto), who have achieved a major coup of having two films selected for the festival. Set in contemporary Dublin staring Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson in the lead roles, PERRIER'S BOUNTY is a fast paced comedy-thriller featuring three unlikely fugitives on the run from gangster supremo, Perrier, who is desperate to retain his pride and cash after the accidental murder of one of his loyal gang. With only 24 hours to escape certain death, the trio must beat the clock, stay awake, and above all, pay Perrier's bounty. The film was produced with financing from the IFB and world sales are being handled by HanWay Films.
Brendan Gleeson, the award winning Irish actor commented "It's fantastic to see so many Irish films included in such a prestigious festival and it shows the value of supporting the Irish film industry."
TRIAGE stars Colin Farrell in the lead role and follows the story of Mark (Colin Farrell), a war photographer, who returns home from Kurdistan without his friend and colleague David (Jamie Sives). As time goes on, it becomes clear that Mark holds the key to the truth of David's disappearance. TRIAGE is also produced by Parallel Films with HanWay Films handling international sales.
ONDINE is a lyrical, modern fairy tale, which tells the story of Syracuse (Colin Farrell), an Irish fisherman whose life is transformed when he catches a beautiful and mysterious woman (Alicja Bachleda) in his nets. His daughter Annie, played by Irish actress Alison Barry, comes to believe that the woman is a magical creature, while Syracuse falls helplessly in love. However, like all fairy tales, enchantment and darkness go hand in hand. Produced by James Flynn in Octagon Films (Becoming Jane, Inside I'm Dancing) and Wayfare Entertainment with financing from the IFB, Paramount Vantage will handle worldwide sales excluding North America which will be represented by CAA.
The documentary feature film COLONY directed by Carter Gunn and Ross McDonnell will also have its world premiere at the festival. The film which is produced by Fastnet Films (Kisses) looks at several beekeepers around the U.S. who are coping with colony collapse disorder - the phenomenon that has caused millions of bees to mysteriously disappear - in this beautifully shot debut from a gifted directing duo.
Directed by Jordan Scott CRACKS stars Eva Green in the lead role and was co-produced by Andrew Lowe in Element Pictures (Garage, The Wind that Shakes the Barley) on location in Ireland last year. The film is set in an austere and remote girls' boarding school, the most elite clique of girls are the illustrious members of the school's diving team. As they compete for the attention of their glamorous teacher (Eva Green), the arrival of a beautiful Spanish girl disrupts the delicate social balance. In an attempt to put differences aside, a secret midnight party takes place that will change their lives forever. Filmed on location in Co. Wicklow last year with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, the film was co-produced by Element Pictures in Ireland, Scott Free (American Gangster, Gladiator) and Future Film Group (Flawless, Goodbye Bafana).
Directed by Margaret Corkery, EAMON is a film about a family holiday which brings to a head the destructive love triangle between Eamon, a little boy with behavioural problems, his selfish mother Grace and his sexually frustrated father Daniel. EAMON recently picked up the Independent Film Award at the Karlovy-Vary International Film Festival. EAMON stars Darren Healy (Love is the Drug, Once, Savage) and new-comers Amy Kirwan and Robert Donnelly in the lead roles and was produced by Zanita Films under the low budget Catalyst scheme.