22Nd Annual Chicago Irish Film Festival MAR 4—8, 2021 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
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22nd Annual Chicago Irish Film Festival MAR 4—8, 2021 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT If there was one word to describe this year’s festival, it is perspective; how do we see things and what do we really know? And looking at the elephant in the room named Covid, we all know our perspectives have changed. And when I watched this year’s program of films my perspective on a number of issues and historical events changed over and over again and I wanted to personally thank every filmmaker that afforded me the opportunity to see things in a new light: the real power of film. This year’s festival covers a wild west of topics, from the emerging art scene in 1930’s Ireland to a twist of fate and a deflected assassin’s bullet in 1936 Italy. We see all sorts of family dynamics; the good, the bad and the totally uncomfortable. There are films that will make you want to close your eyes before you jump, but you’ll look anyway and films that are so stunningly beautiful you’d like to frame the images so you never forget how magical movies can be. Of course, one of the things I most love about the festival is hanging out with our donors and sponsors, our dedicated festival goers and the wonderful filmmakers that have journeyed to Chicago each year to share their film; the true festival experience. But this year I am grateful to our streaming platform that helped us keep the festival going and will also allow this year’s amazing group of films and special partnership programs find new audiences outside our geographic footprint. I am also beyond grateful to both the advisory and programming committees and all the festival staff that not only looked forward to what could be in 2021, but created a festival built on collaboration and unwavering support in this new world of virtual presentation. So, whether you like to watch with popcorn and soda, ice cream and pretzels, nachos and beer or wine and chocolate thank you for coming to the 22nd Chicago Irish Film Festival, I truly hope you enjoy every minute. Jude Blackburn Festival Director 2 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com CULTURAL SPONSORS & PARTNERS The Chicago Irish Film Festival would like to thank and acknowledge our sponsors and partners. Without their generous support, the 22nd Chicago Irish Film Festival would not be possible. Presenting Sponsors Cultural Sponsors Cultural Grants Immigrant Support Program of Ireland | Culture Ireland | Irish Fellowship—Chicago Our Program Partners Screenings available within the United States unless otherwise noted. | 3 FEATURE FILM THE EDGE OF CHAOS Director: Sam Uhlemann | Writer: Sam Uhlemann | Producer: Juliane Wothe | Key Cast: Aoibhinn McGinnity Sean Mahon, Muireann Ryan, Muireann D’Arcy, Graeme Coughlan | Cinematography: Joseph Ingersoll | Editing: Alec Moore | 2020, 97 mins The Edge of Chaos is Sam Uhlemann’s When their alcoholic daughter Carrie, compelling debut feature, where he attempts to, blackmail her father, Derek, explores the consequences of traumatic over his corrupt business practices, she family secrets that no one has mentioned, doesn’t realize the consequences her let alone resolved, in decades. The film actions will bring. For the first time in follows the well-respected and wealthy years the family must come together as Kennan family, whose members spend one and it is only when they accept their as little time as possible with each other own failings that they finally find their despite having shared business dealings. way back together. “A modern-day Greek tragedy with a gut-wrenching performance by Aoibhinn McGinnity.” “A thoroughly compelling, shocking and evocative thriller.“ —danwebbwrites.com “An emotional rollercoaster of epic proportions.” 4 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM THE EVENING REDNESS IN THE SOUTH Director: Colin Hickey | Writer: Colin Hickey | Producer: Monica Lucia Navarro, Colin Hickey | Key Cast: Liam Cotter, Shane Corcoran, Orla Gleeson, Louis Jacob, Richard O’Connor, Denis Hilmer | Cinematography: Colin Hickey | 2019, 70 mins The Evening Redness in the South is an Presented as an expanding collage of entirely dialogue-free dramatic feature images and scenes and sounds gathered film that follows several workers on a from the worksite the film is a masterpiece building site as their daily work and family of silent film. Winner of more than twenty lives becomes infused with their deepest awards worldwide for experimental film, memories, dreams, anxieties, and desires. directing and cinematography. “A piece of cinema verity…a fascinating film whose imagery will stay with you and whose director will go on to greater things.” —Screencritix.com “’I would implore viewers to experience this film at some point in their life, even if it’s just to acknowledge that movies like this exist’” —Film Threat “True artistry, heart-tugging sentiments and important life lessons.” —onefilmfan “A film which truly elevates the art of filmmaking.” —ukfilmreview Share your festival experience on social media with #ChicagoIrishFF | 5 FEATURE FILM This screening available in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin only. I NEVER CRY Director: Piotr Domalewski | Writer: Piotr Domalewski | Producer: Julie Ryan, Jan Kwiecinski | Key Cast: Zofia Stafiej, Kinga Preis, Arkadiusz Jakubik, Nigel O’Neill, Donncha Crowley | Cinematography: Piotr Sobocinski Jr. | Editing: Agnieszka Glinska | Music: Hania Rani | 2020, 98 mins Ola barely knew her dad, who’s been importantly the money he’d saved for her gone since she was young, working at a car. Although street smart and self-assured, construction site in Ireland. But he promised Ola not only finds herself up against a her a car for her upcoming 18th birthday ruthless bureaucracy, but she must also and that’s all that really matters and all navigate an emotional rollercoaster as she the proof she needs to believe that he discovers the truth about his life in Ireland. loves her. When news of his death arrives A bittersweet coming-of-age drama that from the Dublin, Ola sets out from Poland explores the perplexity of family bonds to retrieve her father’s body and more and the cost of separation. “A moving drama, filled with black humor and empathy, that would make Ken Loach proud.” —Cineuropa “A moving, raw, and beautifully paced film…with a gritty, true-to-life tone that digs deep into the personal experiences of its young female protagonist.” —amplifyfilm.uk 6 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com FEATURE FILM THE WINTER LAKE Director: Phil Sheerin | Writer: David Turpin | Producers: Ruth Treacy, Julianna Forde | Key Cast: Emma Mackey, Charlie Murphy, Anson Boon, Michael McElhatton | Cinematography: Ruairí O’Brien | Editing: John Walters | Music: August Murphy-King | 2020, 92 mins Phil Sheerin’s feature debut is a taunt triller Holly, a beguiling teenager and her very set on the edges of Sligo. Tom and his protective dad who has a sinister edge to mom, Elaine, forced to leave the UK, are match the landscape. When Tom stumbles trying to settle into an old family farmhouse on a floating sack in a nearby seasonal on the outskirts of town with little success. lake and finds human remains inside the Silent and sullen Tom takes to roaming discovery sets into motion a series of the fields around his house , collecting the harrowing events. As unspeakable secrets bones of dead animals, while his mom ends float to the surface all four lives will be everyday trying to drink away the reality changed forever, and Tom will be forced of their situation. Across the fields are to confront the harsh truths of adulthood. “Irish darkness on the edge of town…a damp-in-the-bones psychological thriller.” —RTE “Water cannot conceal the past or wash away the guilt in this tense atmospheric Irish family drama set in a rain-sodden Sligo.” —Screen Daily Share your festival experience on social media with #ChicagoIrishFF | 7 FEATURE FILM Ireland’s submission to the 2021 Academy Awards. ARRACHT Director: Tom Sullivan | Writer: Tom Sullivan | Producers: Cúán Mac Conghail Key Cast: Dónall Ó Héalaí, Saise Ní Chuinn, Dara Devaney, Michael McElhatton, Peter Coonan, Seán T. Ó Meallaigh | Cinematography: Kate McCullough Music: Kila | 2020, 86 mins Ireland, 1845 on the eve of The Great visit the English Landlord’s house to request Hunger. Colmán Sharkey, a fisherman, a a stay on rent increases that Colmán knows father, a husband, takes in a stranger will destroy his community. His request falls at the behest of a local priest. Patsy, a on deaf ears and Patsy’s subsequent actions former soldier in the Napoleonic wars set Colmán on a path that will take him to arrives just ahead of ‘the blight,’ a disease the edge of survival, and sanity. Then one that eventually wipes out the country’s day he meets a young girl, Kitty, who looks potato crop, contributing to the death and to Colmán for food and shelter and Colmán displacement of millions. As the crops rot finds in Kitty a reason to live. in the fields, Colmán, his brother and Patsy “An immersive thriller and affecting drama from start to finish…a stirring achievement that stays with you long after viewing” —Entertainment.ie “A character study of one man’s humanity in the face of grief, but it echoes the wider trauma of a nation that was decimated by hunger.” —EyeForFilm-UK 8 | chicagoirishfilmfestival.com DOCUMENTARY Narrated by Liam Neeson. THE HUNGER Director: Ruan Magan | Writer: Ruan Magan | Producers: Patricia Carroll, Colm Crowley, Laurent Filliung, John Fitzgerald | Narration: Liam Neeson | Key Cast: Sibeal Ni Chasaide, Tim Creed, Nick Dunning, Marty Rea | Cinematography: Brian O’Leahy Editor: Keith Walsh | Music: Natasha Paulberg | 2020, 90 mins 175 years ago Europe was struck by a two million emigrated. Ireland today is the devastating famine. The food crisis was only country in the western world with a triggered when a deadly fungus escaped population lower than it had in the 1840s.