Eyes of the world on Irish film - Strong US reviews for Viva while Irish stories set for Hot Docs
The Wall Street Journal has called Irish film Viva a "perfect film and a testament to the portability, not to mention the universality, of talent" and it is a critics pick in the New York Times, which said it was an ‘exhilarating hybrid of Social Realism and feel-good aspirational entertainment."
Directed by Paddy Breathnach (I Went Down), and produced by Rebecca O'Flanagan and Rob Walpole of Treasure Films (The Stag), Viva was written by Mark O'Halloran (Garage, Adam and Paul). The Irish made film set in Havana, Cuba world premiered to great critical acclaim at Telluride Festival last year before being short listed for the an Academy Award® in the Foreign Language category.
John Carney's Sing Street opened recently in the US to strong review with U2's Bono raving about the Irish film saying "In truth most films you'll see this year won't touch Sing Street". A hit with Irish audiences last year, Alex Fegan's documentary Older Than Ireland is currently playing in select US cinemas, with additional dates added due to popular demand.
Meanwhile Irish stories about Bobby Sands, the Northern Irish hunger striker in the global spotlight and Mattress Mick, the online persona of an eccentric mattress salesman will be shared with audiences at the prestigious Hot Docs Festival this weekend. Bobby Sands: 66 Days and Mattress Men will have their world premiere at the festival which is the largest documentary film festival in North America, taking place from April 28th - May 8th. Irish co-production The Land of the Enlightened, which had its world premiere at Sundance, will also screen at the festival.
Next up for release in the US will be Irish films The Lobster and Love & Friendship on May 7th.
Viva, Sing Street, Older Then Ireland, The Lobster, Love & Friendship, Bobby Sands: 66 Days, Mattress Men and The Land of the Enlightened are supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board.