Leading Documentary Maker Pat Collins to Premiere New Irish Film at Toronto International Film Festival
Posted: 13th August 2019
International audiences at the A-list Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will have the opportunity to discover the new Irish film from Pat Collins’ Henry Glassie: Field Work, the latest Irish film to be added to the TIFF line-up. The renowned Cork filmmaker will explore the work of folklorist Henry Glassie in the film, which will receive its World Premiere in Toronto this September as part of the Contemporary World Cinema strand.
Following on the success of Pat Collin’s Song of Granite, Henry Glassie: Field Work is a magisterial portrait of the most renowned American folklorist and ethnologist Henry Glassie now in his seventies. This film is a beautifully intricate exposition of Glassie’s life’s work which displays this director’s trademark deft touch and remarkable eye for details of the deepest significance. The film was produced by Philip King and Tina O’Reilly for South Wind Blows with funding from Screen Ireland and The Arts Council.
Director Pat Collins said “I am delighted that Henry Glassie: Field Work will be premiering at such a prestigious festival as Toronto. Screening in the Contemporary World Cinema section at TIFF is an ideal launch for our film and it’s a testament to the work and ideas of Folklorist Henry Glassie. Glassie is an inspiring advocate for art and artists and to the spirit of folk art. A special thanks to Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland and to An Chomhairle Ealaíon/The Arts Council for their generous support.”
Commenting on the selection Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive Fís Eireann/ Screen Ireland said “Pat Collins is one of Ireland’s leading auteur filmmakers with a unique vision and a keen fascination for telling stories steeped in culture. Screen Ireland is delighted to have supported him throughout his career and we very much look forward to sharing this film with audiences at TIFF and beyond.”
Henry Glassie: Field Work joins four other Screen Ireland-supported films announced for Toronto to date which include Neasa Hardiman’s Sea Fever, Nick Rowland’s Calm With Horses, Zeresenay Mehari’s Sweetness in the Belly and Malgorzata Szumowska’s The Other Lamb.
For more details on the Irish line-up at the Toronto Film Festival visit our website.