Rose Plays Julie selected for Official Competition at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival
Posted: 28th August 2019
Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor’s Rose Plays Julie has been announced as part of the Official Competition line-up for the 63rd BFI London Film Festival. The psychological thriller will receive its World Premiere in London this October and will join a selection of 10 films representing 16 countries that will compete for the Best Film Award. Of these 10 films, two are Screen Ireland-supported projects, and both films from a female director/co-director.
The Irish/UK co-production, produced by Samson Films and Desperate Optimists, stars Ann Skelly, Aiden Gillen and Orla Brady, and is a frank, immersive and gripping feminist thriller.
During a term studying animal euthanasia, veterinary student Rose (Ann Skelly) decides to contact Julie (Orla Brady), the birth mother who gave her up for adoption. But Julie, who is now a successful London-based actress, doesn’t want to know. Undeterred, Rose will not be ignored and curiosity leads her to discoveries that shake the fragile identity she has built for herself.
Also selected for Official Competition is Malgorzata Szumowska’s English language debut The Other Lamb, an Irish-Belgian co-production, which will join the line-up after receiving its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September. Produced by Subotica Productions and shot on location in Ireland, The Other Lamb is a haunting and nightmarish tale that tells the story of a young girl born into an alternative religion known as the Flock.