Irish Film ALL GOOD CHILDREN Officially Selected for Renowned Director’s Fortnight at Cannes
The Irish co-production ALL GOOD CHILDREN directed by Alicia Duffy, has been selected for this years Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival which kicks off on May 12th and runs till May 23rd.ALL GOOD CHILDREN is Alicia Duffy's debut feature film which is based on a novel by Sam Taylor and stars Jack Gleeson (A Shine of Rainbows) and newcomers Austin Moulton, David Brazil and Imogen Jones.
The film tells the story of Irish youngsters Dara and Eoin who are moved to France to stay with their aunt after the death of their mother. There, the boys befriend a local English family and the impressionable Dara falls under the spell of their young daughter Bella. But when she begins to pull away, Dara's feelings for her start to get out of hand.
ALL GOOD CHILDREN which will have its world premiere in Cannes is produced by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures together with Jonathan Cavendish, Tom Dercourt and Patrick Quinet for Caveman, Cinema Defacto and Artemis Productions. It is an Irish/Belgian/French co-production and was made with the support of Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board, Eurimages, Wallimage, CFB Centre du Cenema, Sofica, Preachat TV Cryptee and CRRAV.
Alicia Duffy has made several prize-winning shorts including Crow Stone which was a prize-winner in the Cinefondation Competition in Cannes 2001 and the BAFTA nominated The Most Beautiful Man in the World which was in the Official Selection at Cannes 2003.
This is the second time that Element Pictures have had a film selected for the Quinzaine, following on from Lenny Abrahamson's Garage which picked up the CICAE Art and Essai Cinema Prize during the Directors Fortnight in 2007. It is also Element's third Cannes success having previously won the Palme D'or for The Wind That Shakes The Barley in 2006.
Simon Perry, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: "There is no better launch pad for a new filmmaker than the Quinzaine section of the Cannes film festival, and it's particularly exciting that Alicia's film has been selected by Frédéric Boyer in his first year as its director."
Director Alicia Duffy said: "I am delighted to have made my first film with the Irish Film Board. It was a brave project, with a challenging story and Simon Perry and the IFB's support were what made it possible"
Producer Andrew Lowe said: "Following on from Garage in 2007 we are delighted to be back at the Quinzaine with a wonderful debut film from a truly gifted film maker. It's the perfect way to launch the film to the world and we are particularly delighted for Alicia on this great achievement."
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin T.D., said "having an Irish feature film selected for yet another prestigious event, is evidence of the consistent high quality output of the Irish film industry. The industry makes an important contribution to the Irish economy with Irish cast and crew employed in the making of the film as well as the Irish production team. I would like to congratulate the producers and all those involved, including Alicia Duffy, Oonagh Kearney (Casting), Niall Brady (Sound Design) and composer Steve Stapleton. I wish all the team the very best of luck with this project at Cannes and into the future."
Element Pictures previous credits include CICAE Art and Essai Cinema Prize winner GARAGE by Lenny Abrahamson, Palme d'Or - Winner, THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY by Ken Loach, ZONAD by John Carney, OMAGH by Pete Travis, THE MAGDALENE SISTERS by Peter Mullan, and ADAM & PAUL by Lenny Abrahamson.