Strong Irish Presence Amongst Golden Globes Nominations
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board will launch their slate of new films for next year at an industry reception tonight and mark what has been a successful year for Irish film.
Irish talent continues to receive international recognition with today’s announcement of the Golden Globe nominations where Irish nominees include Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors), Daniel Day Lewis (There will be Blood), Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) and James Nesbit for his performance in Jekyll. The Tudors was also nominated in the Best TV Series Drama category.
On receiving her nomination, Saoirse Ronan has this to say:
"I loved playing Briony, so this is incredibly exciting for myself and my families - my family at home, and my ATONEMENT family. I am so happy that they were recognized for their achievements. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agaibh - that means 'thank you very much' in Irish."
Exciting new Irish film coming through next year includes Alarm directed by Gerry Stembridge, A Film With Me In It directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, The Daisy Chain directed by and Our Wonderful Home directed by Ivan Kavanagh.
A Film With Me In It stars Dylan Moran, Amy Huberman (The Clinic) and Mark Doherty. Oscar winning actress Samantha Morton (Minority Report) stars in The Daisy Chain, opposite Steven Mackintosh (Small Engine Repair), a supernatural horror film from Song for a Raggy Boy director Aisling Walsh. Our Wonderful Home stars the young Irish actress Emma Eliza Regan in the lead role as a wealthy 17 year-old girl, whose greed leads her on a path of destruction with violent, tragic results for her family.
2008 looks to continue on a high note as Irish filmmaker Ken Wardrop has two short films, Farewell Packet of Ten and Scoring selected for Sundance along with Simon Fitzmaurice who also has a short film The Sound of People screening there. Irish feature film The Escapist staring Liam Cunningham will also screen at this prestigious A-list festival.
Highlights of 2007 include the phenomenal success of Once in Sundance earlier this year and its tremendous success in the North America and Garage winning a number of prestigious awards including an award at the Cannes Film Festival.