AUGUST 2016 PADDY BREATHNACH THE IRISH FILM INSTITUTE

The Irish Film Institute is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. EXHIBIT It aims to exhibit the finest in independent, Irish and international cinema, preserve PRESERVE Ireland’s moving image heritage at the IFI Irish Film Archive, and encourage EDUCATE engagement with film through its various educational programmes.

LAST CHANCE Commune The FRENCH FILM CLUB

Some new releases carrying over from our July programme This month’s French Film Club screening – where IFI and include: Author: The JT LeRoy Story, the astonishing Alliance Française members pay just €7 a ticket – on August unmasking of the real story behind novelist wunderkind 17th at 18.30, is Guillaume Nicloux’s Valley of Love starring JT LeRoy, whose tough prose about his sordid childhood and Gérard Depardieu as a divorced couple captivated icons and luminaries internationally; and drawn together by their son’s suicide note instructing them The Commune, Thomas Vinterberg’s new feature about the to travel to Death Valley where he will briefly reappear to clash between personal desires and tolerance in a Danish them. See page 8 for film notes. Please visit www.ifi.ie commune in the 1970s. or ask at the IFI Box Office for further details.

IFI CAFÉ BAR DEAL IFI PLAYER

We have a sizzling new summer menu in the IFI Café Bar The IFI Player launches in late August, and will create and a very special deal for the month of August, where free online access to a range of collections that have you can have a main course and film ticket for only €18. been digitised and preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive. Tuck into our King Kong Burger, or keep it light with our Audiences will have instant access to a selection of unique Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad. Offer is available Monday moving image content never been seen online before. – Wednesday only, see www.ifi.ie/cafebar for menu details.

2 DIRECTOR’S NOTE

August sees the launch of the greatly anticipated IFI Player. AUGUST

AT THE IFI Bobby Sands: 66 Days (See page 5) This month we’re delighted to officially launch the first Mark O’Halloran will join us for a Q&A on August 19th. phase of the IFI Player. Over the last number of years, the IFI This month also sees two fascinating Irish documentaries Irish Film Archive has undergone a major transformation – dealing with two very different subjects: Brendan J. Byrne’s no longer just preserving the nation’s moving image Bobby Sands: 66 Days is a powerful feature on the last days heritage on film, but also developing an archive to preserve of the hunger striker and Byrne employs a wonderful use of ‘born digital’ material. As custodians of over 30,000 cans of both archive footage and animation to tell the story; while on film and 10,000 broadcast tapes spanning from the 1890s August 26th, in Strange Occurrences in a small Irish village, to the present day, the IFI Irish Film Archive is a treasure Aoife Kelleher (One Million Dubliners) explores the world of trove of our nation’s political, social and cultural history. the people and pilgrims in the religious village in Co. Mayo. With everything from feature films, to newsreel, to amateur Also on release this month are some international gems footage, our collection is utterly unique and of critical including Pedro Almodóvar back on form with his recent importance as part of our country’s national heritage. hit from Cannes, Julieta: the sold-out closing film from last year’s Dublin Arabic Film Festival at the IFI, The Idol; and Due to the digital upgrade of the IFI Irish Film Archive thanks the hugely popular and thoroughly intriguing Valley of Love to the kind support of the Department of Arts, Heritage, (starring Gerard Depardieu and Isabelle Huppert) from the Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and the subsequent most recent IFI French Film Festival. publication of our Digital Preservation and Access Strategy, the IFI has now begun the lengthy process of digitising part Ross Keane of our vast film and tape collections. One of the key aspects Director of the IFI Strategy 2013–2016 was to increase access to the Archive’s holdings for the general public. This month, through the launch of the IFI Player, everyone will now be able to get an initial glimpse into a selection of materials preserved here at the IFI Irish Film Archive. We will launch with a limited but representative selection, and this will be constantly added to over the coming months and years. There are also plans for further development of the IFI Player which will include giving audiences outside of Dublin the opportunity to view selected parts of the IFI’s artistic programme. We’re extremely excited about the launch of the first phase which will provide audiences with a window into the amazing breadth of material in our moving image archive, preserved on the nation’s behalf here at the IFI.

One of the many new releases not to be missed this month is the Irish and wonderfully touching Viva which provides a fascinating glimpse in the Cuban drag scene, and we’re delighted that both director Paddy Breathnach and writer 3 NEW RELEASES, IFI SEASONS & DOCS & IFI CLASSICS EVENTS CALENDAR

BOBBY SANDS: 66 DAYS OPENS AUG 5TH DATE SCREENING TIME OPENS AUG 5TH 2ND IFI CAFÉ BAR PUB QUIZ (FREE EVENT) 21:30 SWEET BEAN OPENS AUG 5TH TUE 5TH BOBBY SANDS: 66 DAYS + Q&A 18.30 : OPENS AUG 12TH FRI IN HER OWN WORDS 9TH THE BIGGER PICTURE: BLAZING SADDLES 18.30 THE CONFESSION: OPENS AUG 12TH TUE 10TH FROM THE VAULTS: SOME MOTHER’S SON 18.30 LIVING THE WAR ON TERROR WED THE IDOL OPENS AUG 12TH 16TH IRISH FOCUS: PUSHTAR + Q&A 18.30 VALLEY OF LOVE OPENS AUG 12TH TUE 17TH THE CONFESSION: LIVING THE WAR ON TERROR* 20.40 WIENER-DOG OPENS AUG 12TH WED BEHEMOTH OPENS AUG 19TH 18TH THE CONFESSION: LIVING THE WAR ON TERROR* 13.50 THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEAEDER OPENS AUG 19TH THU THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER + Q&A 20.00 19TH VIVA + Q&A 18.30 TICKLED OPENS AUG 19TH FRI VIVA OPENS AUG 19TH 20TH RETROSPECTIVE: A NEW LEAF 16.00 JULIETA OPENS AUG 26TH SAT 21ST IFI FAMILY: SONGS, PUFFINS AND SHORTS 11.00 STRANGE OCCURRENCES OPENS AUG 26TH SUN ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE: HEARTBREAK KID 16.00 IN A SMALL IRISH VILLAGE 23RD FEAST YOUR EYES: VIVA 18.30 TUE 24TH ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE: MIKEY & NICKY 18.30 WED 25TH IFI FILM CLUB: TICKLED 18.15 GET SOCIAL! THU Excited about this month’s programme? So are we! 26TH WILD STRAWBERRIES: TRASH 11.00 Tell your friends which film you’re planning to watch, FRI STRANGE OCCURRENCES 18.30 share your movie reviews and show us your best pics on IN A SMALL IRISH VILLAGE + Q&A Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! 28TH THE HANGOVER LOUNGE: JOURNEY TO ITALY 14.00 SUN ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE: ISHTAR 16.00 Join the IFI Community online: 31ST WILD STRAWBERRIES: TRASH 11.00 @IrishFilmInstitute WED @IrishFilmInstitute @IFI_Dub *There will be Open Captioned (OC) screenings on August 17th (20.40) and 18th (13.50). Audio Description will be available on all other screenings. See www.ifi.ie/accessible for more.

Open Captioned screening

Audio Described screening

TIMES For a breakdown of times and dates of IFI New Releases, IFI Docs & IFI Classics, check out our weekly schedule on www.ifi.ie/weekly-schedule or the IFI ads in The Irish Times on Fridays and Saturdays. You can also sign up to receive our weekly ezine by joining at www.ifi.ie/signup.

4 AUGUST 2016 BOBBY SANDS: 66 DAYS DOC IFI

OPENS AUG 5TH In the spring of 1981 Bobby Sands, body politic – on Sands’ beliefs as outlined a Republican prisoner in Belfast’s in his prison diaries, on the divided H-Block, began a sixty-six day hunger community into which he was born and FILM INFO: strike which drew the attention of the the Republican history which informed 105 mins, Ireland, 2016, Digital Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn world to his campaign for recognition his politicisation as a young man. as a political prisoner. This focus on the Northern Irish conflict would It is crafted with rigor and balance and eventually trigger efforts to resolve it. draws on a striking array of archive We’re delighted to welcome material, animation, reconstruction director Brendan J. Byrne to While Brendan J. Byrne’s energetic new and interviews from a range of political the IFI for a Q&A following the documentary chronicles Sands’ physical perspectives to understand rather than 18.30 screening on August 5th. deterioration over the course of the embellish the creation of a mythic martyr. sixty-six days, it is never prurient or See page 17 for this month’s From the Vaults screening of mawkish and focuses instead on the Some Mother's Son.

SID AND CLASSIC IFI NANCY

OPENS AUG 5TH In October 1978, former bassist for where Spungen had moved from New the Sex Pistols and infamous poster York as a teenager. Unflinching in its FILM INFO: child of punk, , was arrested depiction of their heroin-fuelled and 114 mins, UK, 1986, Digital in a squalid Chelsea Hotel room and sordid romance, the film has gained Notes by Alice Butler later charged with the murder of his cult status for its improvisatory style, American girlfriend and then manager moments of dark humour and inspired , who was found dead cinematography (the film was shot by from a stab wound on their bathroom the legendary Roger Deakins). Most floor. Taking this sinister, unresolved impressive however are the formidable episode as his starting point, director performances from an emaciated, (Repo Man, Walker) then appropriately defiant Gary Oldman and flashes back nineteen months earlier Chloe Webb, unforgettable as kooky, when the pair first met in London ill-fated Spungen.

5 AUGUST 2016 SWEET BEAN NEW RELEASE

OPENS AUG 5TH Middle-aged Sentarô (Masatoshi advertised part-time position, willing Nagase, Mystery Train), dour and to work for an even lower wage than (AN) taciturn, runs a small restaurant that promised. Reluctant at first, he is specialises in dorayaki, a Japanese persuaded when he tastes her home- FILM INFO: confection consisting of two pancakes made filling, infinitely superior to the 113 mins, Japan-France-Germany, surrounding a filling of sweet red bean factory-produced version he had been 2015, Subtitled, Digital Notes by Kevin Coyne paste. One of his regular customers using. As the business becomes more is schoolgirl Wakana, to whom the popular, the three form a surrogate cook also gives leftover stock at the family, each having suffered through end of the day. Elderly Tokue (veteran their own personal loneliness. Though actress Kirin Kiki, who regularly low-key in style, Sweet Bean is a appears in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s beautifully-performed pleasure, gentle, films) approaches Santorô about an compassionate, and ultimately moving. INGRID BERGMAN: IN HER OWN WORDS IFI DOC

OPENS AUG 12TH Ingrid Bergman’s place in the pantheon Taking the form of a collage of of acting legends is indisputable; the thoughtfully compiled archival EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† life of the three-time Oscar-winning footage – much of it shot by Bergman star of such perennial favourites as who documented her life on a 16mm FILM INFO: Casablanca, Notorious and Journey camera she carried everywhere she 113 mins, Sweden, 2015, to Italy is explored by Stig Bjorkman went – interspersed with voiceover Subtitled, Digital Notes by David O’Mahony in this documentary that charts readings of her correspondence (by her career from the early days as a Swedish actress Alicia Vikander) and Swedish ingénue who captivated the candid to-camera interviews with her THE HANGOVER LOUNGE world to Hollywood’s brutal rejection children, collaborators and friends, Our Hangover Lounge feature of her in the wake of her scandalous In Her Own Words is an illuminating this month is Journey to Italy affair with Roberto Rossellini at the portrait of a cinematic icon. (See page 18 for film notes.) peak of her popularity.

6 THE CONFESSION: LIVING THE WAR DOC IFI ON TERROR

OPENS AUG 12TH A sustained interview with tone is more interrogatory at times Moazzam Begg, a former detainee as Begg is questioned on the gaps FILM INFO: at Guantánamo Bay, Ghadiali’s film is and coincidences in his testimony. 90 mins, UK, 2016, Digital a platform for the Birmingham native Notes by David O’Mahony to present his extraordinary case history. Begg’s links to the Afghan Taliban, and his presence in Bosnia at the time of its ethnic cleansing There will be Open Captioned (OC) led to his arrest: however, in spite of screenings on August 17th (20.40) his incarcerations he has never been and 18th (13.50). Audio Description convicted of a criminal act. Stylistically will be available on all other screenings. the film is redolent of Errol Morris’ See www.ifi.ie/accessible for more. classic The Fog of War, though the

THE IDOL RELEASE NEW

OPENS AUG 12TH From Hany Abu-Assad, director of the make his appearance on the show. only two Palestinian films to be Oscar- Facing difficulties both physical and (YA TAYR EL TAYER) nominated for Best Foreign Language ideological in making it to Egypt Film, Paradise Now (2005) and Omar and entering the competition, it’s an FILM INFO: (2013), comes this recounting of the unashamedly feel-good story of the 100 mins, UK-Palestine-Qatar- life of Gazan singer Mohammad Assaf, triumph of the underdog; however, Netherlands-United Arab Emirates, 2015, Subtitled, Digital who in 2013 was crowned the winner Abu-Assad is far too talented a Notes by Kevin Coyne of Arab Idol, the popular Arabic reality filmmaker to present it in a prosaic television show-cum-talent contest. fashion. The tension and danger of Assaf’s daily life is subtly depicted, As a child, his musical ambitions were as is his importance to a community nurtured by his beloved sister Nour, with little to celebrate. instilling in him the confidence to

7 AUGUST 2016 VALLEY OF LOVE NEW RELEASE

OPENS AUG 12TH Reunited for the first time since to times in which they must be in Maurice Pialat’s Loulou (1980) in the certain places; if they do as asked, FILM INFO: new film from Guillaume Nicloux he writes, he would meet them at 92 mins, France, 2015, (The Nun, 2013; The Kidnapping of the final location. In adding this Subtitled, Digital Michel Houellebecq, 2014), Isabelle enigmatic, supernatural element to Notes by Kevin Coyne Huppert and Gérard Depardieu play an what might otherwise have been a estranged couple meeting at a motel straightforward depiction of mourning, in California’s Death Valley. Both had Nicloux has created something much been instructed to go there in letters more intriguing, tinged with the written by their son, with whom each surreal, and frequently accompanied had a troubled relationship, before by a particularly apt piece of music he committed suicide, letters which composed by Charles Ives. also included precise instructions as WIENER-DOG NEW RELEASE

OPENS AUG 12TH Todd Solondz’s films depict the dark (Greta Gerwig), the central character side of American suburbia. No subject from Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995). FILM INFO: proves taboo as he creates characters 90 mins, USA, 2016, Digital at once sympathetic and abhorrent, A chance encounter with her old school Notes by Kevin Coyne and he infuses even his bleakest work bully (Kieran Culkin) leads to a road with richly caustic humour; Wiener-Dog trip, after which the dog passes to a continues this trend. professor (Danny DeVito) who uses it to exact revenge upon his disrespectful A dachshund becomes the pet of a students. Finally, it is the pet of an child who has survived cancer, until elderly woman () when she his mother (Julie Delpy) brings it to receives an unexpected visit from her the vet to be euthanised. However, granddaughter (Zosia Mamet). it is rescued by the adult Dawn Wiener

8 BEHEMOTH IFI DOC IFI

OPENS AUG 19TH Named after the Biblical monster, repetitious minutiae of the workers’ Zhao Liang’s Behemoth refers lives, the personal impact revealed (BEI XI MO SHOU) to a contemporary horror: the in sequences dealing with the industrialisation of Inner Mongolia, widespread respiratory illnesses EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† a vast region where coal and suffered by the workers. Every once mineral extraction is performed in a while, Liang punctuates this FILM INFO: 95 mins, China, 2015, on an overwhelming scale, rhythm with a recurring staged Subtitled, Digital necessitating a steady stream motif of a naked figure curled up in Notes by David O’Mahony of migrant Chinese workers. the foreground of the devastated Adopting an observational approach, landscapes, artistic interludes which Liang juxtaposes stunningly achieved serve as welcome moments of long-takes of the denuded landscape reflection amid the unimaginably vast with more intimate studies of the destruction of ecology in the region.

THE CHILDHOOD RELEASE NEW OF A LEADER

OPENS AUG 19TH An extreme case of nature versus mother (Bernice Bejo). Increasingly nurture is expounded in this debut rebellious, the young boy responds FILM INFO: from actor-turned-director Brady to his distracted parents’ emotional 115 mins, UK-Hungary-France, Corbet; an adaptation of a Jean-Paul neglect in increasingly alarming 2015, Digital Sartre story, The Childhood of a Leader fashion. Corbet, who has clearly Notes by David O’Mahony is a bold statement of intent which learnt from acting for directors such announces Corbet as a filmmaker of as Haneke and Von Trier, brings a poise vision and ambition. The year is 1918; and intellectual rigor to this story, We are delighted to welcome seven-year-old Prescott is in France which is more a philosophical inquiry actor Liam Cunningham to the IFI on Thursday, August 18th with his American diplomat father than the character study it purports at 20.00 for a special preview (Liam Cunningham), a significant to be. He is aided in no small way by screening of The Childhood of a player in the war-ending Paris peace a thrillingly cacophonous new score Leader followed by a Q&A. negotiations, and his German from Scott Walker.

9 AUGUST 2016 TICKLED IFI DOC

OPENS AUG 19TH An investigative reporter gets – ostensibly as a sport – Farrier traces considerably more than he bargained its origins to a US company, Jane EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† for when he scratches the surface of an O’Brien Media, his innocent overtures underground ‘competitive endurance for an interview being met with a slew FILM INFO: tickling’ network in this surprising, and of alarmingly aggressive cease and 92 mins, New Zealand, frequently disturbing documentary desist notifications. Interest thoroughly 2016, Digital Notes by David O’Mahony expose. David Farrier is a New Zealand piqued, he sets off to Los Angeles TV personality (in the Louis Theroux with camera-wielding colleague mould) famed for throwing light into Dylan Reeve to stake out Jane O’Brien the murkier corners of the internet; Media’s latest clandestine tickling IFI FILM CLUB stumbling across a video featuring shoot. To say that what transpires is Join us after the 18.15 screening a bound athletic young man being unexpected is the understatement on August 25th for a discussion tickled by other athletic young men of the year. on the film. VIVA NEW RELEASE

OPENS AUG 19TH Against the fading grandeur of They struggle to cohabit peacefully and contemporary Havana, Jesus, an understand each other’s very different FILM INFO: impoverished, sensitive young make-up expectations. 100 mins, Ireland, 2015, assistant escapes the grim reality of Subtitled, Digital everyday life through his backstage Viva presents an intoxicating glimpse Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn work in a drag club. into the vibrant and sensual world of the Cuban drag scene. A tender tale When his dream of performing finally of familial love and redemption, it was comes true, a stranger emerges from richly deserving of Oscar recognition Director Paddy Breathnach and the crowd and punches him in the face. for director Paddy Breathnach (I Went writer Mark O’Halloran will The stranger is his father, Angel, a boxer, Down, Man About Dog) and writer Mark participate in Q&A after the absent for many years and now in need O’Halloran (Adam and Paul, Garage). 18.30 screening on August 19th. of a place to live.

10 JULIETA RELEASE NEW

OPENS AUG 26TH Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, his 20th The film flashes back to the story of commercial feature, takes as its basis the younger Julieta (Adriana Ugarte), FILM INFO: three short stories by Canadian Nobel and her first meeting with fisherman 99 mins, Spain, 2016, laureate Alice Munro, spanning thirty Xoan, with whom she falls in love. Subtitled, Digital years in the life of its titular character. The two settle down to raise their Notes by Kevin Coyne daughter, Antía, together, but when We first meet Julieta as a middle- tragedy strikes, its ripples lead to aged woman (Emma Suárez, once further loss, creating the melancholy the muse of Julio Medem) whose woman of later years. The perhaps plans to leave Madrid for Portugal surprisingly subdued approach shows a with her boyfriend are dismissed new side to the director, and sees him when a chance encounter brings back still willing to explore new territory. memories of sadness and pain. STRANGE OCCURRENCES IN A DOC IFI SMALL IRISH VILLAGE

OPENS AUG 26TH In 1879, fifteen people in the village Mildred, advocate for gender parity of Knock, Co. Mayo witnessed an for the shrine’s handmaids; the staff FILM INFO: apparition of the Virgin Mary. of the Knock Marriage Bureau; and 90 mins, Ireland, 2016, Digital The village was declared a Marian Fr. Richard Gibbons, the charismatic, Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn Shrine and today welcomes over outward-looking Parish Priest, working one million pilgrims annually. to attract transatlantic visitors to Aoife Kelleher (One Million Dubliners) the shrine. With its references to ‘the builds a vibrant portrait of the scandals’, falling church attendances phenomenon through its devotees and the eighth amendment, the film We're delighted to welcome – invalids seeking cures; the eight presents a timely reflection on the director Aoife Kelleher to the IFI sibling owners of rival religious position of the Church in modern for a Q&A following the 18.30 merchandise shops; a woman relieved Ireland and a compelling glimpse into screening on August 26th. of MS during a 1970s pilgrimage; feisty an anachronistic but thriving world.

11 ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE AUGUST 20TH–28TH If you are unfamiliar with the work of Elaine May, This film revealed the unique authorial voice and a search online will throw up videos of speeches ingenious, daring wit common to all four works the 84-year-old Oscar-nominated writer, director, May directed, projects that nearly all involved actor and comedian has made in recent years at a considerable degree of conflict with studios, events paying tribute to the lifetime achievements particularly over swelling budgets and final cuts. of some major Hollywood figures. These speeches These disputes, as well as May’s own elusiveness, are irreverent, wildly inventive and hysterically funny have, for too long obscured her talent as a filmmaker, – the audiences consistently tear up with laughter – talent which is now at last being honoured with and quickly you find yourself asking, ‘why aren’t they screenings of Mikey and Nicky at MoMA last year, honouring her?’ of The Heartbreak Kid at Anthology Film Archives in February, of anniversary screenings of A New Starting out in the 1950s as a comedian who formed Leaf taking place at multiple international venues one half of an immensely successful duo with Mike and festivals this year and a Laurel Award for Nichols, May then turned to acting and writing Screenwriting Achievement from the Writers Guild of before assuming the role of director for the first America in January. We too would like to pay tribute time on A New Leaf (1971), one of cinema’s great with these four screenings of her inimitable work. comedies, released 45 years ago which she also scripted and starred in. Introduction and film notes by Alice Butler.

12 ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE A NEW LEAF

AUG 20TH (16.00) May worked as a comedian, playwright millionaire botanist Henrietta (May), and actress before embarking on A whose social awkwardness and FILM INFO: New Leaf, her directorial debut which unparalleled clumsiness make her, 102 mins, USA, 1971, Blu-Ray she wrote and starred in alongside an he believes, his perfect candidate. uproarious Walter Matthau. Reduced by Paramount from A bankrupt dilettante desperate to 180 minutes to its current length maintain his opulent lifestyle after without May’s approval, thereby he has squandered his fortune, long- extracting a disquieting subplot, the standing bachelor Henry (Matthau) existing incarnation of A New Leaf devises a plan to marry an affluent, is nevertheless an underseen comic unsuspecting partner who he then masterpiece, described by Roger Ebert intends to kill off. After a string of as hilarious and “one of the funniest doomed encounters, Henry meets movies of our unfunny age”. THE HEARTBREAK KID

AUG 21ST (16.00) Lenny (Charles Grodin) is a salesman With Oscar-nominated turns from who, after his homely Jewish wedding May’s daughter, Jeannie Berlin as Lila FILM INFO: to unsophisticated Lila decides he has and Eddie Albert as Kelly’s infuriated 106 mins, USA, 1972, 35mm, made a grave mistake and sets about father, this exceptional film was Swedish Subtitles pursuing Kelly (Cybill Shepherd), remade by the Farrelly brothers in 2007 a waspy blonde he meets on his Miami but it brings nothing of the pathos and Beach honeymoon. Untroubled by tragicomic force of the original. the shallowness and sheer absurdity of his behaviour, Lenny meets Kelly’s Sourced from the Swedish Film parents to outline his intentions, Institute, the 35mm print of this film an engagement which unsurprisingly will screen with Swedish subtitles. doesn’t go well.

13 ELAINE MAY RETROSPECTIVE MIKEY AND NICKY

AUG 24TH (18.30) A gangster drama that takes place over theme of betrayal that is key to all of one night as two scruffy, small-time May’s films. Allegedly shooting 1.4 FILM INFO: crooks traipse around the run-down million feet of film (nearly three times 119 mins, USA, 1976, 35mm streets of Philadelphia, Mikey and more than was shot for Gone with Nicky appears to be distinct from the Wind), May again entered into a May’s more outwardly comedic work. battle with Paramount over the final The relationship between the two cut, a dispute which often eclipses the lifelong friends however – a jittery, ingenuity of a film that turns its gaze volatile Nicky (), away from the crime-lord in favour convinced that his mob-boss has a of his middlemen, acting as Richard hitman chasing his tail, and a more Brody pointed out as ‘a welcome self-possessed Mikey () corrective to The Godfather’. – masterfully draws out a central ISHTAR

AUG 28TH (16.00) After the struggle over the release they become embroiled in a conflict of Mikey and Nicky, May would not between leftist revolutionaries and FILM INFO: direct again until ten years later when the CIA. Details of Ishtar’s demented, 107 mins, USA, 1987, Digital Warren Beatty, eager to repay her for torturous production could fill a tome script-writing she did on Heaven Can and needless to say it didn’t thrive at Wait and, uncredited, on Reds, offered the box office. Since its 2013 Blu-Ray to produce her next project. As luck release however, it has finally begun would have it, May wrote Ishtar, a to get the praise it so richly deserves story of two bumbling lounge singers with figures as varied as Martin who accept the only job they can get Scorsese, Lena Dunham and Quentin in Marrakesh but wind up stuck in Tarantino all identifying themselves the imaginary land of Ishtar, where as firm admirers.

14

IFI EVENTS IRISH FOCUS WILD STRAWBERRIES ARCHIVE AT LUNCHTIME IFI FAMILY FROM THE VAULTS THE BIGGER PICTURE FEAST YOUR EYES IFI FILM CLUB HANGOVER LOUNGE

Among them, a breed of hypersensitive IRISH children acting as weather vanes to FOCUS atmospheric changes that are guided by 8ft tall ‘Pteradogs’, and governed by PUSHTAR a council of Elders.

Lambert's third feature is an epic sci-fi film but, as critic Fergus Daly wrote, AUG 16TH (18.30) “…it’s as if Hollywood was suddenly taken over by artists”, and critic DIRECTOR: Join us for our focus on new Irish Maximilian LeCain calls it "[the] product Alan Lambert film and filmmakers. of a truly independent cinematic FILM INFO: sensibility." Pushtar is the fruit of an 58 mins, Ireland, 2015, Digital, In the distant future climate change has unadulterated imagination. English & Subtitled devastated the Earth. Pushtar, a tundra Notes by Dean Kavanagh on the outskirts of the Himalayas, Director Alan Lambert will participate in is home to a disparate settlement. a post-screening Q&A.

about three young boys who find a WILD wallet in a garbage dump. Billy Elliot STRAWBERRIES director, Stephen Daldry, brings his talent for working with young actors TRASH to this fast-paced, sun-drenched adventure in which the boy’s discovery uncovers a crime. Together they set AUG 26TH & out to undo a great wrong, driven by 31ST (11.00) their sheer energy and optimism.

DIRECTOR: Wild Strawberries is our Tickets: €4.25 including regular Stephen Daldry bi-monthly film club for over 55s. tea/coffee before the event. Wild FILM INFO: Strawberries is our film club for 114 mins, UK-Brazil, 2014, While Rio de Janeiro puts on its over 55s. If you are lucky enough Digital, Subtitled best Olympics front, we take a look to look younger please don’t take at another side of the teeming city offence if we ask your age. through this thrilling crime drama

15 ARCHIVE AT IFI FAMILY LUNCHTIME Glamour of Galway Puffin Rock

POSTCARDS PUFFINS, SONGS AND FROM THE PAST SHORTS: A SELECTION OF WORK FOR CHILDREN Join us for free screenings of films from the IFI Irish Film Archive. Simply collect tickets FROM CARTOON SALOON at IFI Box Office. Please see www.ifi.ie for dates and times. AUGUST 21ST (11.00) PROGRAMME 1: A selection of short animations from THROUGH ERIN’S ISLE Cartoon Saloon. This early film made by the Irish Tourist Association entices visitors to visit the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, From the award-winning animation studio – Blackrock Baths, and the Lakes of Killarney. best known for Song of the Sea and The Secret FILM INFO: 10 mins, 1937, Silent of Kells – comes this selection of short films and favourite TV episodes. This special programme, NORTHERN IRELAND COAST showing in association with The Ark’s Get The bustle of Belfast, Bangor and Derry is Animated! season, features a range of their best contrasted with the tranquility of the countryside work for children and includes work in English and and family fun at the beaches. in Irish with English subtitles. It includes episodes FILM INFO: 18 mins, 1940s, Colour of Puffin Rock, about a family of puffins living on an island; short films Cúilín Dualach and The Ledge PROGRAMME 2: End of Phil; and the series Anam an Amhráin, which THE IRISH RIVIERA brings together some well-known Irish language Another early film by Irish Tourist Association songs brought to life through animation. which enticed visitors to the sunny south coast – briefly visiting Cork City and then lingering at Join us for this fun selection and then see remote outposts from Mizen Head, to Dunquin. the Song of the Sea exhibition at The Ark. FILM INFO: 9 mins, 1930s, B&W Please visit www.ark.ie for more details. GLAMOUR OF GALWAY DIRECTORS: Various Galway, old and new, is captured in glowing colour FILM INFO: 60 mins, Ireland, 2014-2016, Digital – market days, thatched cottages in the city, the Tickets: €4.80 per person, €14.40 family ticket Taibhdhearc Theatre, Currach racing at Salthill and (2 adults + 2 children, 1 adult + 3 children). the Galway Blazers. & 15.30 (ages 10–12). FILM INFO: 15 mins, 1957, Colour

16 FROM THE VAULTS SOME MOTHER’S SON

AUG 10TH (18.30) When (fictional) IRA member Gerard Annie Higgins (Fionnula Flanagan), is Quigley (Aidan Gillen) is imprisoned on at the heart of the film. Co-authored DIRECTOR: charges of murder of a British soldier by Jim Sheridan, Some Mother’s Son Terry George he becomes a cell-mate of Bobby Sands balances politics with tragedy, warmth FILM INFO: (John Lynch). He joins Messiah-like and humour and, in its foregrounding 112 mins, Ireland, 1996, 35mm Sands on a hunger strike to protest the of the experience of women, provides Notes by Sunniva O'Flynn political status of H-Block prisoners and an enriching counterpoint to many is fully prepared to die for the cause. Troubles’ narratives. His mother () is forced to confront their opposing beliefs. See page 5 for the Brendan J. Byrne Her emotional and political struggle, documentary Bobby Sands: 66 Days played out through her friendship with

THE BIGGER PICTURE BLAZING SADDLES

AUG 9TH (18.30) Our monthly programme Brooks achieved his greatest success strand in which a key film is with this highly unsubtle spoof western, DIRECTOR: presented in the context of in which a black sheriff (Cleavon Little) Mel Brooks a notional film canon. appointed to a white frontier town, FILM INFO: seeks help from gunslinging Jim 93 mins, USA, 1974, Digital What makes for classic comedy? Hear (Gene Wilder) to win over the locals. Notes by Alicia McGivern comedian, actor and writer, Tara Flynn, cast her smart and very funny eye over This month’s Bigger Picture will be her film of choice, Blazing Saddles, an presented by comedian, actor and example of an iconic comedy and one writer Tara Flynn. that, as she sees it, ‘would never get made today’. Director and writer Mel

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IFI Café Bar. Presenting an intoxicating FEAST glimpse into the vibrant and sensual world YOUR EYES of the Cuban drag scene, Viva is a tender tale of familial love and redemption that VIVA was richly deserving of Oscar recognition for director Paddy Breathnach (I Went Down, Man About Dog) and writer Mark O’Halloran (Adam and Paul, Garage). AUG 23RD (18.30) For Viva film notes see page 10. DIRECTOR: Our monthly gastronomic feature Paddy Breathnach followed by a meal in the IFI Café Bar. Tickets €20, free list suspended. FILM INFO: 100 mins, Ireland, 2015, Our monthly pairing of a new release and Digital, Subtitled a specially devised main course menu, will be Paddy Breathnach’s Viva, followed by a Cuban feast inspired by the film in the

guest on Thursday, August 25th at IFI FILM CLUB 18.15 to discuss the filmmakers, the TICKLED film itself and relevant themes of this extraordinary tale.

Audience members are invited to contribute their thoughts and there will be a complimentary glass of wine AUG 25TH (18.15) included during the discussion.

DIRECTOR: Join us for an open discussion following For Tickled film notes, see page 10. David Farrier, Dylan Reeve a screening of David Farrier and Dylan FILM INFO: Reeve’s outlandish documentary exposing 92 mins, New Zealand, 2016, Digital an underground ‘competitive endurance tickling’ network, Tickled. In this month’s IFI Film Club a member of our cinemas programming team will be joined by a

as a woman facing a marital crisis while THE HANGOVER in Naples with husband George Sanders, whom she is increasingly estranged from. LOUNGE Bergman’s marriage to Roberto Rossellini, JOURNEY the film’s director, whom she met whilst making Stromboli (1950) and divorced TO ITALY her then husband to be with, caused no little scandal at the time. This controversy which haunted her career for many years AUG 28TH (14.00) is sensitively covered in the documentary Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words, which DIRECTOR: Our monthly indulgent Sunday screens at IFI from August 12th. Roberto Rossellini afternoon of brunch and a Brunch + film €16; film only is normal FILM INFO: classic film. IFI pricing. Sunday brunch is served 97 mins, Italy-France, 1954, Digital, Subtitled 12pm – 4pm. Notes by David O’Mahony In Journey to Italy, the enduringly iconic Ingrid Bergman gives one of her finest, For Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words most emotionally nuanced performances film notes see page 6.

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SWEET_BEAN_IFI_Advert.indd 1 15/07/2016 14:50

SWEET_BEAN_IFI_Advert.indd 1 15/07/2016 14:50 Emma Suárez El Deseo presents Adriana Ugarte “ Almodóvar’s best sinceVolver...exhilarating” DAVID JENKINS, LITTLE WHITE LIES

“Ravishing and extremely moving...exquisite” ★★★★ DAVE CALHOUN, TIME OUT ★★★★ IRISH TIMES EVENING STANDARD “Stunning” “Fabulous” I.D. JASON SOLOMONS, BBC RADIO 4 ★★★★ ★★★★ TIME OUT INDEPENDENT I “Dazzling” “Gorgeous” NIGEL ANDREWS, FINANCIAL TIMES TIM ROBEY, DAILY TELEGRAPH ★★★★ ★★★★ DAILY TELEGRAPH THE UPCOMING

In Cinemas 26th August Daniel Grao Inma Cuesta Darío Grandinetti Michelle Jenner and Rossy de Palma PRODUCER AGUSTÍN ALMODÓVAR PRODUCER ESTHER GARCÍA MUSIC ALBERTO IGLESIAS Facebook/AlmodovarUK EDITING JOSÉ SALCEDO DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN CLAUDE LARRIEU A.F.C. WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY PEDRO ALMODÓVAR BASED ON STORIES BY ALICE MUNRO JulietaFilm.com