Award-Winning Irish Documentary, The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid, Set for Nationwide Release on 19 October
Posted: 16th October 2018
Two Irelands dramatically collide in Feargal Ward’s critically acclaimed and award-winning new Irish film The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid, now set for an eagerly anticipated Irish cinema release on 19 October.
Kildare farmer Thomas Reid lives a solitary life on the fringes of mainstream society, but beyond the walls of his 18th century farm sits an American factory — vital to the national economy but long an unsettling presence in Thomas' life. Suspicious of intrusion, Thomas didn’t welcome the State agents who come to inquire about his house and lands. He vowed to resist.
Set against the backdrop of the Supreme Court legal action taken by Reid to challenge IDA Ireland’s attempt to compulsorily purchase his farm for the benefit of a multinational company, the film is a searching examination of the tension between a high-tech, low-tax globalised Ireland and the right of an individual citizen to continue living and working the lands of his ancestors.
Arising from Reid’s spectacular Supreme Court victory over IDA Ireland, the Irish State recently responded by passing new legislation in 2018 granting IDA Ireland stronger powers for compulsorily purchasing lands for multi-national corporations in the future.
Hailed as ‘the future of documentary’ in Variety by Barbara Visser, the artistic director of IDFA 2017, and “a masterpiece of psychological storytelling ” (Forge Media); the film also won the film critics’ Best Irish Film Award at the Dublin International Film Festival 2018. The film has been a hit on the international film festival circuit since its world premiere at IDFA Amsterdam (the world’s biggest documentary film festival) in November 2017, and has since screened at prestigious festivals including Madrid, Munich, Toronto, Istanbul, Sheffield and Moscow.
The film harnesses the immersive power of cinema, creating a multilayered psychological portrait of this fascinating individual and his experience; of the country that houses him, and the State that seeks to evict him.
The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid was directed by Feargal Ward, whose debut feature Yximalloo (co-directed with Tadhg O’Sullivan) won the Prix Premier at FID Marseille in 2014. The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid was co-written, edited and sound-designed by Tadhg O’Sullivan. The film was produced by Luke McManus for FSE Films in association with Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland and German broadcaster NDR (Germany).
Panel Details
IFI - Friday 19th Oct - 6.30pm Clare Daly TD; Feargal Ward, director; Tadhg O'Sullivan, filmmaker and editor; Colin Murphy, playwright & journalist (moderating). Book here.
Omniplex Rathmines - Sunday 21st Oct 6.30pm
Lenny Abrahamson, Oscar-nominated director; Feargal Ward, director &
Tara Brady, journalist Irish Times (moderating). Book here
Thursday, 25th Oct Eye Cinema Galway 6.50pm Lelia Doolan, filmmaker and activist; Luke McManus, producer & Dr. Tony Tracy, (Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUIG) (moderating) Book here
★★★★★ The Sunday Business Post
“Extraordinary”
The Irish Times
BEST IRISH FILM AWARD
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards at Dublin International Film Festival 2018
The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid is released in cinemas nationwide on 19 October including the IFI; Omniplex, Rathmines; Vue Liffey Valley & Eye Cinema, Galway with more screens to be announced.
Tickets for the Opening Night Screening + Panel Discussion at the IFI, 18.30 Fri, 19 October are available now here
www.lonelybattle.com