65th Cork International Film Festival celebrates new and classic Irish film in Online Programme
Posted: 15th October 2020
Last night, the Cork International Film Festival (CIFF2020) revealed its programme for this year's ‘blended’ festival, showcasing the latest and best films both in cinema in Cork (from 4 to 8 November) and to audiences nationwide online (from 9 to 15 November). Screen Ireland-supported projects feature across the festival, with World Premieres for the previously announced Irish Gala screening The Bright Side, Documentary Gala Castro's Spies and debut feature The Edge of Chaos. 5 additional Irish feature films will receive Irish and/or Cork Premieres, with Kieron J. Walsh's The Racer closing the festival. For Screen Ireland-supported shorts, the festival will host a special presentation of 8 short films, to include 4 World Premieres from new and emerging filmmakers.
With 2020 marking its 65th edition, CIFF2020 is presenting a series of special events that celebrate both the legacy of the Festival in Cork and its continued focus on discovering new talent, engaging young audiences and delivering the world to Cork through film.
Screen Ireland is also delighted to support industry events like Doc Day and First Take: a series of panel discussions, keynote speakers and case studies that aim to connecting emerging and established filmmakers with industry professionals.
World Premieres
The Bright Side
- DIRECTOR: Ruth Meehan
- SCREENWRITER: Jean Pasley & Ruth Meehan
- PRODUCER: Tony Deegan
Stand-up comedian Kate (Gemma-Leah Devereux) thinks her life has no meaning and is not worth continuing. When she’s diagnosed with breast cancer, even the universe seems to agree with her. However, a close encounter with death – and four other women on the chemo ward – might just change her mind and even her life. Ruth Meehan’s directorial debut offers black humour, cynicism and trust in the power of friendship and love in a perfect blend only found in Irish films.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Castro's Spies
- DIRECTOR: Ollie Aslin, Gary Lennon
- PRODUCER: Ollie Aslin, Gary Lennon
Castro’s Spies recounts the experiences of an elite band of Cuban spies who led dangerous double lives in the 1990s, living and working in Florida with fabricated identities. Told from the perspective of these men and their families, the film provides impressive unprecedented access to the so-called ‘Cuban 5’, weaving a fascinating narrative of intrigue, intelligence and espionage, set within the context of the highly fraught US-Cuban diplomatic relationship.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
The Edge of Chaos
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Sam Uhlemann
- PRODUCER: Juliane Wothe
A compelling debut feature exploring the consequences of dark familial secrets, The Edge of Chaos follows the well-respected and wealthy Keenan family, and the reverberations made when their alcoholic daughter Carrie attempts to blackmail the family patriarch Derek over his corrupt business dealings. An extremely powerful and realistic dissection of how unhealed wounds and unexpressed grief can shatter families, it scrutinizes what lies beneath the veneer of often polished surfaces, and the insidious nature of repressed emotion and unresolved trauma.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Irish/Cork Premieres
The Racer
- DIRECTOR: Kieron J. Walsh
- SCREENWRITER: Ciaran Cassidy, Kieron J Walsh
- PRODUCER: Katie Holly, Yvonne Donohoe
Summer 1998: the opening stages of Le Tour de France are relocated to Ireland. Belgian rider Dom Chabol (Louis Talpe) has been one of the best ‘Domestiques’ (support riders) for the last 20 years: a sacrificial role, setting pace to enable the team’s sprinter to victory; winning is not an option. But Dom harbours a desire to wear the yellow jersey, just once before his career is over. Secret doping, team rivalry and a little romance fuel the exhilarating action and dark comedy that drives The Racer to pack an adrenalin-filled punch right to the finish line.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan
- DIRECTOR: Julien Temple
- PRODUCER: Johnny Depp, Stephen Deuters, Stephen Malit, Julien Temple
Shane MacGowan and The Pogues reinvigorated Irish folk music with a shot from the punk-rock pineal gland, whilst MacGowans’ lyrics detailed the experiences of Irish people adrift in London with a beauty and poeticism that belied his own chaotic drink-and-drugs-fuelled lifestyle. A documentary that celebrates Shane’s life and work with a ferocious energy that would be instantly familiar to anyone who ever witnessed The Pogues live.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Wildfire
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Cathy Brady
- PRODUCER: Carlo Cresto-Dina, Charles Steel, David Collins
Sisters Lauren (Nora-Jane Noone) and Kelly (Nika McGuigan) grew up on the Irish border. One day Kelly disappears without trace and when she suddenly returns, a year later, the sisters realise that in order to survive they will have to confront the truth of their mother’s death. First-time director Cathy Brady combines a unique visual style with an emotive, striking story, and draws strong performances from both leads.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
The 8th
- DIRECTOR: Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O'Boyle
- PRODUCER: Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O'Boyle, Alan Maher
Reflective, considered and highly evocative, The 8th depicts the struggle of activists in the lead-up to the 2018 Irish abortion referendum. Though the film respectfully addresses both sides of the debate, it is rooted in voices from the pro-choice campaign, positioning it within the history of the 8th amendment, the grassroots abortion rights movement, and the build-up to the 2018 referendum, and coalescing into a powerful reflection of the progressive changes in Irish society in recent times.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
The Sheriff
- DIRECTOR: Grace Sweeney
- PRODUCER: Trevor Birney, Michael Fanning, Grace Sweeney, Sinead Ingoldsby
Framed through the lens of the recent sheriff election in Frederick, Maryland, The Sheriff presents an expertly crafted portrayal of endemic polarization in contemporary US politics. The fierce electoral battle between conservative incumbent Chuck Jenkins and moderate Democrat Karl Bickel not only provides a broad analysis and sterling entertainment, but their small-town microcosm thoughtfully illustrates the profound chasm that is reflective of wider American society, and is particularly poignant within the context of the country’s current controversies surrounding policing.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
The Castle
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Lina Lužytė
- PRODUCER: Kęstutis Drazdauskas, David Collins
Monika, a thirteen-year-old Lithuanian girl and aspiring pianist, lives with her mother and grandmother in Dublin. While Monika dreams of performing in the mysterious ‘Castle’, her hard-pressed mother sells the family keyboard, forcing Monika to take extreme measures to get it back. Beautifully shot by cinematographer Michael Lavelle, this psychological coming-of-age story by Lina Lužytė offers rare insights into the lives of economic migrants in Ireland.
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Screen Ireland Shorts
Pre-order ticket for Online Screening here.
Barry
- DIRECTOR: John Robert Brown
- SCREENWRITER: Miriam Devitt
- PRODUCER: Miriam Devitt
One small dog, one big problem. Next-door neighbours Susan and Breda are relaxing in their gardens when Breda's dog – barking at every passer-by – drives Susan into a murderous rage, with troubling consequences.
Her Song
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Éabha Bortolozzo, Jack Kirwan
- PRODUCER: Greg Connolly
Eve learns of her grandmother's harrowing history in a Mother & Baby home. Woven through her grandmother’s past is the mythological and misunderstood figure of the banshee, whose comforting presence inspires the strength she needs to tell her story.
Hum
- DIRECTOR: Maureen O'Connell
- SCREENWRITER: Ivan Cush
- PRODUCER: Jonny Farrelly
Following a heated discussion with his partner, Tim seeks refuge in an empty gallery space. He prays for silence and solitude. However, his prayers are ignored, as gallery regular Cecil takes him on an abstract journey of interaction and appreciation.
7 Feet 9 1/4 Inches
- DIRECTOR: Peter O’ Brien
- PRODUCER: Tess Bunworth, Shane Mulrennan
A blokey pub game, all beer bellies and pork scratchings – that’s darts, or so they say. This film captures the misunderstood sport in a new light, honing in on youth darts’ preeminent talent, 15-year-old Katie Sheldon.
The Fear
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Stevie Russell
- PRODUCER: Dawn Mac Allister
The Fear is a monster with an important job: striking doubt, shame and regret into unsuspecting victims. The Fear is that feeling you get when the world seems to come crashing in. He preys on those that feel alone. People are easier to crack when they’re on their own.
Stir
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Rory Bresnihan
- PRODUCER: Eithne Fitzsimons
Following a car accident, a young woman finds herself convalescing in the home of an old man who has recently lost his wife. With her health impaired, no way to contact her fiancé and the local people apparently indifferent to her cries for help, she finds herself alone and abandoned – a prisoner in the old man’s home. As her attempts to escape become increasingly desperate, so too do the old man’s attempts to contain her. Up against a personality more defiant and obstinate than he had bargained for, he soon realises he has taken on more than he can handle.
The Dead Hands of Dublin
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Leo Crowley
- PRODUCER: Niamh Herrity
Sidney, a failed pianist, comes into the possession of a pair of enchanted gloves. He soon finds himself playing the piano like a maestro and all his dreams are quickly realised! Until fate deals him a cruel hand…
Expulsion
- DIRECTOR / SCREENWRITER: Sinéad Murphy
- PRODUCER: Ciaran O'Connor
Haunted by visions, a young woman revisits an abusive past, seeking to expel inner demons and put an end to her torment. However, she soon finds reality is her true horror and it bears the face of Man.