Irish Production THE LOBSTER Wins the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival
Irish production THE LOBSTER, filmed in Co. Kerry and creatively developed and produced by Element Pictures, has won the Jury Prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. THE LOBSTER was funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB).
This is the latest film funded by the IFB to have won a top award at Cannes. Ken Loach's THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY starring Cillian Murphy won the Palme d'Or in 2006 while in 1998, John Boorman was the winner of the Best Director award for his work on the IFB-funded THE GENERAL.
Speaking on THE LOBSTER's win, IFB CEO James Hickey said: "The IFB are thrilled that THE LOBSTER has taken home the prestigious Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Yorgos Lanthimos is a truly unique voice in modern cinema and the IFB are delighted to have supported his vision, working with Irish creative talent. I would like to congratulate the cast and crew, and Element Pictures on this marvellous film."
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys TD said: "This is yet another boost for the Irish film industry, and I would like to congratulate all of those who were involved in the making of the Lobster. Shot in Ireland, the film is a great example of what can be achieved through international co-production".
Speaking from Cannes, Element Pictures Producer Ed Guiney commented that "It's a complete dream to get into the main competition at Cannes but then to win this amazing award is a huge and brilliant accolade for the film, for Yorgos and for our brilliant cast and crew".
THE LOBSTER, which received production funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), boasts a cast including Colin Farrell (Intermission), Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener), John C. Reilly (Chicago), Ben Whishaw (Skyfall), Olivia Colman (Broadchurch), Léa Seydoux (Spectre) and Michael Smiley (The World's End).
THE LOBSTER is a blackly funny love story set in a near future where finding love is a matter of life or death. The film which shot in Co Kerry is written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou and produced by Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, Ceci Dempsey and Yorgos Lanthimos. Executive Producers are Andrew Lowe, Tessa Ross and Sam Lavender. The film was developed by Element and Irish funding for the film included support from the IFB.
About THE LOBSTER
THE LOBSTER is a feature film co-production involving Ireland, the UK, Greece, France and the Netherlands.
Film4, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ the Irish Film Board, Eurimages, the Netherlands Film Fund, Greek Film Centre and BFI present in association with Protagonist Pictures, with the participation of CANAL+, CINE+ and Aide aux Cinémas du Monde, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et du Développement International, Institut Français an Element Pictures, Scarlet Films, Faliro House, Haut et Court, Lemming Film co-production in association with Limp and with the support of the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.
For more information, please contact Gráinne Curtin at grainne.curtin@irishfilmboard.ie