The Truth Hirokazu Kore-Eda the Irish Film Institute

MARCH 2020 THE TRUTH HIROKAZU KORE-EDA THE IRISH FILM INSTITUTE

The Irish Film Institute is Ireland’s EXHIBIT national cultural institution for film. 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.

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH IFI FILM CLUB

David Attenborough reflects upon both the defining moments Each month, the IFI invites you to take part in an informal of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes discussion with members of the team following the screening he has seen in new documentary A Life on Our Planet. This of a new release. This month’s choice is Levan Akin’s And special event screening on Thursday, April 16th at 19.25 will Then We Danced. The discussion will take place after the 18.10 be followed by a Q&A with David Attenborough live from screening on Wednesday 18th. See page 6 for full film notes. its World Premiere at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Tickets, costing €15, are now on sale.

MYSTERY MATINEE FEAST YOUR EYES

Join us for Dublin’s best kept secret! This month’s Every month we pair a new release with a specially devised screening, for which tickets cost just €6, will take main course from the IFI Café Bar kitchen. This month’s film place at 13.00 on Sunday 15th. The film chosen could choice will be the 18.30 screening of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s be anything from throughout the history of cinema, The Truth starring Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche or even a preview of a hotly-anticipated release. With on Wednesday 25th. Tickets cost €24. Free list suspended. the Mystery Matinee, you should always expect the unexpected! A full list of previous screenings is available from www.ifi.ie/mystery-matinee-archive.

2 DIRECTOR’S NOTE

This month the IFI unveils its exciting plans for 2020. MARCH

AT THE IFI Bird The Painted This month, we’re delighted to announce our plans for will continue throughout the year, while spring will see the the year ahead. As the Home of Film in Ireland, we look IFI Irish Film Archive begin work on a project to preserve forward to bringing you an exciting 12 months of events, materials created between 1998 and 2018 by production strands, seasons and special guests, all in our beautifully company Ballymun Communications. refurbished screens. IFI Education will collaborate with the Virgin Media Dublin Highlights of our 2020 exhibition programme will include a International Film Festival in March for the third annual retrospective of the work of Italian master, Federico Fellini, Careers in Screen Day, and the hugely popular annual director of La Dolce Vita and 8½; a season of films featuring Schools Programme will launch in September. The IFI’s Katherine Hepburn; a focus on the work of director Bob commitment to lifelong learning also continues with our Fosse; and the return of the occasional Hidden Figures autumn Evening Course plus a new film studies weekend, strand, which will this year centre on pioneering American the Big Screen Blast, which takes place on the weekend director Dorothy Arzner (1987-1979). of March 20th. A real treat for cinephiles, you can find full details on page 11. As always, Irish filmmakers and their work form an integral part of the IFI's programme with regularly scheduled Q&A IFI National will bring its curated Local Films for Local events, starting with a public interview with John Boorman People programmes to Offaly, Donegal, Cork and Galway; IFI this month. Our annual look at the Irish film industry, IFI National is also delighted that its collaboration with Limerick Spotlight, will return in April, once again provoking debate venue Belltable will continue into 2020. IFI International will about the most pressing issues facing the sector. We’re continue to bring the very best of Irish cinema to locations especially excited that IFI Open Day will return this summer across the world including Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, for the first time since our 25th anniversary celebrations in Ghana, Indonesia, Chile and Egypt. 2017. Expect a full day of free screenings and behind-the- scenes tours! March itself is a busy month with the return of the East Asia Film Festival Ireland from the 26th to the 29th, with a range The IFI's four flagship festivals will return, with the IFI of fantastic new cinema from Japan, South Korea, China and French Film Festival in November, the IFI Family Festival in Vietnam. New releases include the hotly anticipated Calm August, the IFI Documentary Festival in September, and IFI With Horses, starring Barry Keoghan; Lorcan Finnegan’s Horrorthon over the October Bank Holiday weekend, while atmospheric Vivarium; and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s The Truth, the fourth edition of the IFI's Dark Skies science fiction which features Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche. season will take place in July. Ross Keane February saw the launch of the Patrick Carey Collection, Director a selection of beautiful, contemplative films from the Oscar-nominated filmmaker. The Filmmaker Playlist initiative, launched by Lenny Abrahamson in November,

3 NEW RELEASES, IFI SEASONS & DOCS & IFI CLASSICS EVENTS CALENDAR

TONI MORRISON: OPENS FRI 6TH DATE SCREENING TIME THE PIECES I AM 2ND IFI & VMDIFF: REEL ART: NEW YORK OUR TIME 18.30 TRUE HISTORY OF THE OPENS FRI 6TH MON KELLY GANG 3RD IFI & VMDIFF: REEL ART: SKIN + SOUL 18.30 AND THEN WE DANCED OPENS FRI 13TH TUES 4TH IFI & VMDIFF: CAREERS IN SCREEN DAY 10.30 BACURAU OPENS FRI 13TH WED IFI FRENCH FILM CLUB: PORTRAIT OF A LADY 18.00 CALM WITH HORSES OPENS FRI 13TH ON FIRE THE ELEPHANT MAN OPENS FRI 13TH 6TH IFI & VMDIFF: ANNE DEVLIN 18.00 FRI THE TRUTH OPENS FRI 20TH 8TH IFI & VMDIFF: SOLEIL ET OMBRE + THE SMILING 14.00 THE PAINTED BIRD OPENS FRI 27TH SUN MADAME BEUDET THE PERFECT CANDIDATE OPENS FRI 27TH IFI & VMDIFF: PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN 16.00 10TH IRISH FOCUS: IFI & IMMA: GLUE 18.30 SYSTEM CRASHER OPENS FRI 27TH TUES VIVARIUM OPENS FRI 27TH 11TH ANNA KARINA TRIBUTE: PIERROT LE FOU 18.30 WED 12TH FROM THE VAULTS: CONCLUSIONS: 18.15 THUR JOHN BOORMAN Q&A + SIGNING 15TH MYSTERY MATINEE 13.00 SUN 18TH IFI FILM CLUB: AND THEN WE DANCED 18.10 WED 20TH BIG SCREEN BLAST* FRI

Films not classified by IFCO, including festival, one-off, and special 24TH BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: WOMEN IN FILM AND 18.15 screenings, are exhibited under Club rules and are restricted to persons 18 TUES TELEVISION SHORT FILM SHOWCASE years and over. If you are not an IFI member, a daily membership (€1.50) is required for unclassified films, and this will be added to your transaction. 25TH WILD STRAWBERRIES: WILD ROSE 11.00 WED FEAST YOUR EYES: THE TRUTH 18.30 † The exclusivity of films is correct at the time of print. All films exclusive to the IFI are kindly supported by the Arts Council. IFI & AEMI: SIGNALS AND CIRCUITS 18.30 26TH IFI & EAFFI: A GIRL MISSING 18.30 THUR linkedin.com/company/irishfilminstitute 27TH WILD STRAWBERRIES: WILD ROSE 11.00 FRI IFI & EAFFI: HEAVY CRAVING 18.30 @IrishFilmInstitute @IFI_Dub IFI & EAFFI: THE WILD GOOSE LAKE 20.30 28TH IFI & EAFFI: CHINESE PORTRAIT 14.20 @IrishFilmInstitute SAT IFI & EAFFI: THE HOUSE OF US 16.20 IFI & EAFFI: MONSOON 18.30 IFI & EAFFI: THE HOST 20.30 For bookings and film information, please see our website, www.ifi.ie, or contact the IFI Box Office 29TH IFI FAMILY: THE SECRET OF MOONACRE 11.00 SUN IFI & EAFFI: DWELLING IN THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS 13.10 on 01-6793477 (open 12.30 to 21.00 daily). IFI & EAFFI: JINPA 16.10 IFI & EAFFI: WISDOOM TOOTH 18.20 Open Captioned screening 31ST THE BIGGER PICTURE: PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE 18.30 TUES Audio Described screening * To Sun 22nd

The F-rating is a classification reserved for any film which is directed and/or written by a woman.

4 MARCH 2020 TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM DOC IFI TIMOTHY GREENFIELD -SANDERS OPENS FRI 6TH Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am offers an tapestry of art, history, literature intimate meditation on the life and work and personality, the film includes EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† of the legendary writer and Nobel Prize discussions about her many critically winner. From her childhood in the steel acclaimed works, including novels The FILM INFO: town of Lorain, Ohio, to 1970s-era book Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved 120 mins, USA, 2019, Digital Notes by David O’Mahony tours with Muhammad Ali, from the - which Oprah Winfrey turned into a frontlines with Angela Davis to her own feature film - her role as editor of iconic riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison African-American literature, and her leads an assembly of her peers, critics time teaching at Princeton University. and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history, and the human condition as seen through the prism of her literature. Presented as a rich

TRUE HISTORY RELEASE NEW OF THE KELLY GANG JUSTIN KURZEL OPENS FRI 6TH The life of 19th century Australian Under the apprenticeship of his outlaw Ned Kelly has been adapted mother’s (Essie Davis) highwayman FILM INFO: for the screen before, with both Mick boyfriend Harry Power (Russell Crowe), 124 mins, Australia-UK, Jagger and the late Heath Ledger young Ned swiftly adapts to a life of 2019, Digital essaying versions of the figure, but crime. As an adult, Ned, now portrayed Notes by David O’Mahony never with the ferocity and visual flair by a swaggering George MacKay that Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth) (1917), leads the fearsome Kelly has brought to the mythology. Taking Gang, whose nefarious antics draw the his cue from Peter Carey’s Booker attention of Constable Alex Fitzpatrick Prize-winning novel, Kurzel introduces (Nicholas Hoult). us to Ned at the age of 12 as he is raised in poverty in the outback by his Irish immigrant parents.

5 MARCH 2020 AND THEN WE DANCED LEVAN NEW RELEASE AKIN OPENS FRI 13TH A student of traditional Georgian dance (Ana Javakishvili) since childhood, and is thrown into a state of confusion when it is understood that they are a couple, EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† he develops feelings for a male rival in though Mary is frustrated by his lack Swedish director Levan Akin’s arresting of passion away from the dancefloor. FILM INFO: third feature. Mareb (Levan Gelbakhiani) When Irakli (Bachi Valishvili), a gifted 113 mins, Georgia-Sweden- lives with his working class family in dancer from another town joins the France, 2019, Digital, Subtitled Notes by David O’Mahony Tbilisi. Coming from a dancing lineage, company, he awakens in Mareb a heady it is expected that he and his brother mix of jealousy and attraction, dangerous David will carry on the tradition, though feelings in a strictly conservative society. David is more interested in partying IFI FILM CLUB Join members of the IFI team than in the rigorous training required to In association for an informal discussion perfect the challenging routines. Mareb with following the 18.00 screening has been dancing duets with Mary on Wednesday 18th at 18.10. BACURAU JULIANO DORNELLES & KLEBER NEW RELEASE MENDONÇA FILHO OPENS FRI 13TH Teresa (Bárbara Colen) returns to the prepare for a bloody conflict. What village of Bacurau in the northeast of begins in the vein of an anthropological FILM INFO: Brazil for her grandmother’s funeral. docudrama, with a loose structure and a 131 mins, Brazil-France, The tiny rural community is under siege large ensemble cast, gradually morphs 2019, Digital, Subtitled from the local government who have into a thrilling hybrid of western and Notes by David O’Mahony cut off the water supply and erased war movies, with escalating tension the town from digital maps, but a exploding into violent confrontations. more immediate threat comes from a The depiction of a powerless underclass cadre of heavily-armed international rebelling against their oppressors is a assassins, most of them Americans, pointed commentary on contemporary led by the psychotic Michael (Udo Kier), Brazil’s political climate. who appear to be killing for sport. As the hunters approach, the villagers

6 CALM WITH RELEASE NEW HORSES NICK ROWLAND OPENS FRI 13TH Douglas ‘Arm’ Armstrong (Cosmo volatile Dympna Dever (Barry Keoghan), Jarvis) is an enforcer for the Devers, a who manipulates Arm’s inherently FILM INFO: family of criminals in an Irish seaside trusting nature. As his relationship with 101 mins, UK-Ireland, 2019, Digital town. Quicker with his fists than his Ursula begins to improve, Arm sees an Notes by David O’Mahony wits, Arm had a brief moment of glory opportunity to choose a better path and when he represented his county in prove himself as a parent, just as the boxing, but soon fell from grace. His Devers force upon him a task that will current position as an attack dog for test the limit of his loyalty. drug pushers has alienated him from ex-partner Ursula (Niamh Algar) and their young autistic son, with whom Arm is struggling to make a connection. He has a toxic relationship with the

THE ELEPHANT CLASSIC IFI MAN DAVID LYNCH OPENS FRI 13TH Given the experimental nature of his of Joseph ‘John’ Merrick (John Hurt), low-budget debut feature Eraserhead whose deformities condemn him to a FILM INFO: (1977), David Lynch may have seemed life of exhibition in a freak show before 124 mins, USA-UK, 1980, Black an unexpected choice to helm a period he is discovered by and taken under and White, Digital 4K piece set in Victorian England that the care of noted surgeon Frederick Notes by Kevin Coyne would feature some of the country’s Treves (Anthony Hopkins). Told in a most venerable actors. However, the linear and emotionally affecting style confidence of producer Mel Brooks of filmmaking that Lynch has arguably in his director paid dividends when only utilised since in The Straight Story the film was ultimately nominated (1999), The Elephant Man remains for eight Oscars. Rereleased in a 4K deeply and beautifully moving. digital restoration on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, it is a biopic

7 MARCH 2020 THE TRUTH HIROKAZU NEW RELEASE KORE-EDA OPENS FRI 20TH Lumir (Juliette Binoche), a screenwriter history in her newly published memoir based in New York, has returned to Paris (which is titled, ironically, The Truth). (LA VÉRITÉ) with husband Hank (Ethan Hawke), When Fabienne’s assistant resigns, a mediocre TV actor on the cusp of Lumir agrees to take over his role just FILM INFO: success, and their young daughter for as Fabienne begins work on a science 106 mins, France-Japan, 2019, Digital, Subtitled a rare visit to her mother, the legendary fiction film, a collaboration which Notes by David O’Mahony actress Fabienne (a magnificently triggers long-repressed resentments. imperious Catherine Deneuve.) Kore-eda’s first film made outside his native Japan, the follow-up to his Demanding and narcissistic, Fabienne is Palme d’Or-winning Shoplifters, is as FEAST YOUR EYES Enjoy a specially curated main an unreconstructed ego-driven diva who well-observed, wise and humane as course in the IFI Café Bar uses and abuses all those who care for his best work. following the 18.30 screening her and has played fast and loose with on Wednesday 25th. THE PAINTED BIRD VÁCLAV NEW RELEASE MARHOUL OPENS FRI 27TH Based on Jerzy Kosiński’s acclaimed extraordinary brutality meted out by novel, and shot on luminous the ignorant, superstitious peasants, (NABARVENÉ PTÁCE) monochrome 35mm, The Painted Bird and witnesses the terrifying violence is a meticulously crafted evocation of of the ruthlessly efficient soldiers, FILM INFO: wild, primitive Eastern Europe at the both German and Russian. There are 169 mins, Czech Republic- Ukraine-Slovakia, 2019, Digital, bloody close of World War II. The film moments of compassion amid the Subtitled, Black and White follows the journey of a Boy (Petr Kotlár) savagery: a German soldier (Stellan Notes by David O’Mahony entrusted by his persecuted parents to Skarsgård) spares the Boy, a priest an elderly foster mother. The old woman (Harvey Keitel) intervenes on his behalf, dies and the Boy is left on his own, and he becomes the protégé of a wandering through the countryside Russian sniper (Barry Pepper). from farmhouse to farmhouse. As he struggles to survive, he suffers through

8 THE PERFECT RELEASE NEW CANDIDATE HAIFAA AL-MANSOUR OPENS FRI 27TH Maryam (Mila Al Zahrani) is an concerts allowed in the kingdom in ambitious young doctor working in decades, she enlists the help of her two EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† a small town clinic in Saudi Arabia. younger sisters. Maryam’s audacious Despite her qualifications, she has candidacy starts to build momentum, FILM INFO: to fight for the respect of her male challenging the bigoted views of her 101 mins, Saudi Arabia, 2019, colleagues and acceptance from her conservative community. A tight race Digital, Subtitled Notes by David O’Mahony patients. After Maryam is prevented emerges between Maryam and her male from travelling to Dubai in search of a opponent as she and her family rally better job, a bureaucratic mix-up leads their determination and creativity to her to stumble upon an application move their traditional society forward. for her local city elections and she decides to run. With her musician father away on tour playing the first public

SYSTEM RELEASE NEW CRASHER NORA FINGSCHEIDT OPENS FRI 27TH Nine-year-old Benni (Helena Zengel) – but all Benni wants is to return home to real name Bernadette – is aggressive, her mother (Lisa Hagmeister), who is (SYSTEMSPRENGER) rebellious and unpredictable. She’s ill-equipped to deal with her daughter’s been through foster families, care wild behaviour, and unable to detach EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI† facilities and a special needs school, herself from an abusive relationship. FILM INFO: none of which could handle her violent As a desperate measure, Bafané hires 119 mins, Germany, 2019, outbursts of rage and frustration. Micha (Albrecht Schucht), an anti- Digital, Subtitled She is permanently suspended from violence trainer for juvenile delinquents, Notes by David O’Mahony school and will not endure any physical who arranges for Benni to join him for contact. This seemingly delicate little three weeks of outdoor labour in his girl is what Mrs Bafané (Gabriela Maria off-grid house in the woods. Schmeide) from the youth welfare office refers to as a ‘system crasher’,

9 MARCH 2020 VIVARIUM LORCAN FINNEGAN NEW RELEASE

OPENS FRI 27TH The anxiety of house-hunting takes sterile homogeneity, and the peculiar on a nightmarish dimension in Lorcan behaviour of their realtor, they attempt FILM INFO: Finnegan’s accomplished second to leave, yet are confounded as the 97 mins, USA-Belgium-Ireland- feature, a lean psychological thriller rows of identical houses become an Denmark, 2019, Digital made with clockwork precision inescapable maze. With great economy, Notes by David O’Mahony which offers a wry commentary on Finnegan, working from a script the creeping malaise of suburban co-written by Garret Shanley, swiftly married bliss. In the market for a establishes his surreal scenario, drip- new home, school teacher Emma feeding information and introducing (Imogen Poots) and her boyfriend elements of science-fiction and even Tom (Jesse Eisenberg) pay a visit to horror as the terrified couple begin to Yonder, an almost too perfect new realise that there may be no escape housing development. Disquieted by its from suburbia. COMING SOON Arracht

Coming to the IFI in April are Arracht, Somalia, became a leading campaigner Tom Sullivan’s new Irish-language against Female Genital Mutilation. thriller about a fisherman who takes The film stars Aja Naomi King and in a stranger at the behest of a local Oscar-nominated actor Barkhad Abdi priest at the time of the Great Famine. (Captain Phillips). The film stars Dónall Ó Héalaí, Michael McElhatton, Siobhán O’Kelly and 11-year-old Saise Ní Chuinn.

Also released is Mary McGuckian’s latest film, A Girl from Mogadishu, based on the testimony of Ifrah Ahmed who, having escaped her home in war-torn

10 IFI FILM STUDIES WEEKEND BIG SCREEN BLAST FRI 20TH – SUN 22ND

IFI is delighted to present a unique film studies If you like the idea of a weekend film binge, or event that offers you the chance to watch and discussing current cinema trends, then join us discuss special previews, one-off screenings and the for this new cinematacular weekend. latest films in the IFI programme over the course of one weekend. Tickets: €90 including all films and talks, tea and coffee x 4 and Sunday brunch. See ifi.ie From Friday to Sunday, facilitated by critic and for full details. lecturer at IADT Stephen Boyd, participants will watch four complete films, and through discussion and Sunday’s schedule will also include a Brunch interaction, get a deeper and richer understanding of and Movie Mixer at 11.00, where David O’Mahony, contemporary film culture, and the IFI programme. Head of IFI Cinema Programming, will give a background to his programming process.

THE ELEPHANT MAN VIVARIUM FRI 20TH (17.30) SAT 21ST (11:00) DIRECTOR: David Lynch DIRECTOR: Lorcan Finnegan FILM INFO: 124 mins, USA-USA, 1980, Digital 4k FILM INFO: 97 mins, USA-Belgium-Ireland-Denmark, 2019, Digital

THE TRUTH (LA VERITÉ) HUSTLERS

SAT 21ST (14:30) SUN 22ND (12:30) DIRECTOR: Hirokazu Kore-eda DIRECTOR: Lorene Scafaria FILM INFO: 106 mins, France-Japan, 2019, Digital, Subtitled FILM INFO: 110 mins, USA, 2019, Digital

11 IFI & VIRGIN MEDIA DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The IFI is pleased to again partner with the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival. This year’s programme includes the world premieres of two films made under the Arts Council’s Reel Art scheme, an influential programme is designed to provide film artists with the opportunity to make highly creative, imaginative, and experimental documentaries.

REEL ART: REEL ART: CAREERS IN NEW YORK SKIN+SOUL SCREEN DAY 2020 OUR TIME MON 2ND (18.30) TUES 3RD (18.30) WED 4TH (10.30)

Celebrated filmmaker and artist Skin+Soul explores fashion Careers in Screen Day is presented Vivienne Dick weaves a personal photography as an art form by the Irish Film Institute and Virgin and philosophical documentary through the work of internationally Media Dublin International Film remembering 1970s New York in renowned photographer Perry Festival with the kind support of its heyday for bohemian artists and Ogden. Challenging perceptions of Screen Skills Ireland and BAI. musicians. Featuring contributions beauty in his imagery, Ogden was from many of her contemporaries one of the first to use models and For the third year, Virgin Media at that time, the film also contrasts non-models together in his work. DIFF and IFI will once again offer the “No Wave” movement with His iconic Pony Kids series an inspiring and innovative day of contemporary culture amid is regularly cited as an influence events for young people interested present-day concerns. on contemporary designers. He in a career in the film & TV has been taking photographs for industries. Aimed at Senior Cycle Director Vivienne Dick will attend over thirty years for Italian, British students aged 15–18, the event will this screening. and American Vogue, Dazed, feature special guests drawn from The Face, W Magazine, Arena and diverse film and TV disciplines. DIRECTOR: a host of other global fashion and Vivienne Dick art publications. FILM INFO: 80 mins, Ireland, 2020, Digital Director Ciara Nic Chormaic will attend this screening.

DIRECTOR: Ciara Nic Chormaic FILM INFO: 64 mins, Ireland, 2020, Digital

12 12 Tickets for Careers in Screen Day, Anne Devlin, Soleil et Ombre / The Smiling Madame Beudet and Promising Young Woman are available from www.ifi.ie and www.diff.ie. Tickets for the Reel Art screenings are only available from www.diff.ie.

ANNE DEVLIN SOLEIL ET OMBRE / PROMISING YOUNG THE SMILING MADAME BEUDET WOMAN

FRI 6TH (18.00) SUN 8TH (14.00) SUN 8TH (16.00)

Pat Murphy’s ground-breaking French actress Musidora shines From groundbreaking director drama about the woman commonly in silent 1922 melodrama Soleil et Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve) comes known as Robert Emmet’s Ombre about an Andalusian woman a delicious new take on revenge. housekeeper feels timely in the who is passionately in love with a Everyone said Cassie (Carey ongoing conversation about bullfighter, only to be spurned for Mulligan) was a promising young forgotten women in Irish history. another woman. Germaine Dulac’s woman… until a mysterious event Bríd Brennan shines as Devlin, a 1922 silent classic The Smiling abruptly derailed her future. But woman of principles who refuses Madame Beudet sees a woman nothing in Cassie’s life is what it to be broken or betray her beliefs trapped in an unhappy marriage appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, amid temptation, punishment and to her rude, domineering husband. tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living great suffering. Frustrated and fantasising of escape, a secret double life by night. Now, she decides to load the gun he uses an unexpected encounter is about The restoration of Anne Devlin was to parody suicide, only to change her to give Cassie a chance to right the funded by Screen Ireland under mind the next day. wrongs of the past in this thrilling the supervision of Sé Merry Doyle and wildly entertaining story. (Loopline Film) with the collaboration With live musical accompaniment of the IFI Irish Film Archive. from Stephen Horne. Presented with DIRECTOR: the support of the French Embassy Emerald Fennell DIRECTOR: in Ireland. FILM INFO: Pat Murphy 113 mins, UK, 2020, Digital FILM INFO: DIRECTORS: 120 mins, Ireland, 1984, Digital Musidora & Jacques Lasseyne / Germaine Dulac FILM INFO: 81 mins, France, 1922, Digital

13 EAST ASIA FILM FESTI VA L IRELAND 2020

The fourth East Asia Film Festival Ireland (EAFFI) The festival would like to thank the Arts Council, RTÉ continues to bring to Irish audiences the work of Supporting the Arts, Dublin City Council, the Irish Film prominent and new filmmakers from East and South Institute, and all our sponsors and partners for their East Asia. The programme explores themes around invaluable support to EAFFI. culture, gender and history with films from Chinese, Japanese, Hong Kong, South Korean and Taiwanese EAFFI Organising Committee: Maria O'Brien; cinema, to interrogate the complexity of human Marie-Pierre Richard. EAFFI Artistic + Programme Director: nature and our relationship with society. Following Marie-Pierre Richard. Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard. on from the enormous success of Parasite, the first EAFFI is funded by the Arts Council. foreign-language film to win the Best Picture Oscar, Multi-film pass available directly from IFI Box Office: we are delighted to screen South Korean filmmaker 5 films for €50. Bong Joon Ho’s classic The Host in a rare 35mm print.

Ichikawa) and Saki (Miyu Ogawa). One A GIRL day though, Saki disappears and it seems MISSING Ichiko’s nephew is involved. Ichiko feels helpless as the stability of her work and KÔJI private life slips away. FUKADA Japanese filmmaker Kôji Fukada THUR 26TH (18.30) (Harmonium) crafts a slow-burn, suspenseful drama unravelling social (YOKOGAO) conventions and exploring human Ichiko (the wonderful Mariko Tsutsui) complexity in a tense portrait of a woman FILM INFO: leads an honest, quiet existence working caught up in a spiraling crisis. Tsutsui’s 111 mins, Japan-France, 2019, as a home-care nurse. For years she has performance captures the complex Digital, Subtitled cared for Tôko, the elderly grandmother Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard internal suffering of Ichiko’s plight, and of the Oishi family. Ichiko has become her burgeoning dread of what is to come. like one of the family, especially to Tôko’s granddaughters, Motoko (Mikako

14 EAST ASIA FILM FESTIVAL IRELAND 2020

her ‘Ms. Dinosaur’. Reluctantly, she HEAVY joins a weight loss programme which CRAVING seems like the answer, but the real change comes when she befriends HSIEH the smiling Wu, a handsome young deliveryman, and Xiao-Yu, a boy at PEI-JU the school who likes to dress in girls’ FRI 27TH (18.30) clothing, and a special bond forms between them. Taiwanese writer- (DA E) director Hsieh Pei-Ju’s debut feature 30-years-old and overweight, Ying- draws on her own experience growing FILM INFO: Juan (a stellar Tsai Jia-Yin) is the chef up as an overweight teenager. This 90 mins, Taiwan, 2019, at the preschool run by her slim and thought-provoking film shows the Digital, Subtitled demanding mother. Ying-Juan enjoys Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard darker side of self-discovery, but is also nothing more than cooking for the clever, honest, and touching. kids (and herself) but struggles with insecurity, the children having dubbed

It's a lawless place where people THE WILD of all professions and crimes GOOSE LAKE mingle. Chinese director Diao Yinan appropriates the film noir genre to DIAO give this stark vision of contemporary China. Diao has been called ‘the poet YINAN of the night’ and it’s easy to see why. FRI 27TH (20.30) Captured by cinematographer Dong Jinsong, this twisting story unfolds in the dark marshlands of the exotic Wild (NAN FANG CHE ZHAN Zhou Zenong (Hu Ge), a small-time DE JU HUI) Goose Lake, all drenched in yellows, gang leader, is injured and on the run reds, and blues. FILM INFO: after he mistakenly kills a policeman. 113 mins, China-France, With a bounty on his head, the police This screening will be introduced by Tara 2019, Digital, Subtitled believe he is hiding in the Wild Goose Brady of The Irish Times. Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard Lake, an uncharted zone on the outskirts of Wuhan city.

Travelling from eastern cities Beijing and CHINESE Shanghai, and to northwestern areas PORTRAIT where nomadic live abounds, Wang simply filmed what he saw: traditional villages, WANG crumbling old factories, new construction projects, commuters on a train, tourists XIAOSHUAI at the beach, and factory workers in huge SAT 28TH (14.20) workshops or immense office spaces. Through long, often almost static shots, (WODE JINGTOU) with no dialogue, voice over or subtitles, Chinese filmmaker, screenwriter and people stare out at us, while in the FILM INFO: producer Wang Xiaoshuai (So Long, background life continues unaware. 79 mins, Hong Kong, 2019, Digital My Son) brings together documentary, Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard painting and photography in this fascinating ten-year visual account of his native land filmed in places rarely seen, during a period of tremendous change.

15 EAST ASIA FILM FESTIVAL IRELAND 2020

by their uncle while their parents are THE HOUSE working in another town, are constantly OF US on the move; Hana’s parents are always busy, fight every day and look YOON likely to split up. But Hana wants to fix things and bring the family together GA-EUN again. South Korean filmmaker and SAT 28TH (16.20) screenwriter Yoon Ga-Eun (The World of Us) once again immerses us in a (WOORI-JIP) childhood world. With astonishing During her fifth-grade summer break, performances, she depicts a world full FILM INFO: Hana (Kim Na-Yeon) befriends two of simple pleasures, imagination and 92 mins, South Korea, 2019, younger girls, Yoo-Mi (Kim Si-Ah) and adventures, tempered by the unstable, Digital, Subtitled her little sister Yoo-Jin (Joo Ye-Rim). Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard suffocating world of adults. Quickly bonding, the three girls share details of family life. Yoo-mi and her sister, currently being looked after

their parents’ ashes. He visits cousin MONSOON Lee (David Tran), who helps him piece HONG together hazy memories from his fractured childhood. Kit meets Lewis KHAOU (Parker Sawyers), a handsome African American clothes designer whose father fought in the war. Romance SAT 28TH (18.30) sparks as Lewis introduces Kit to the more vibrant parts of the city. Writer-director Hong Khaou (Lilting), FILM INFO: 30-something Kit (Henry Golding, 85 mins, UK, 2019, Digital, Cambodian-Chinese by birth, lived in Subtitled Crazy Rich Asians) returns to Ho Chi Vietnam until he was eight, his family Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard Minh City/Saigon for the first time having fled the Khmer Rouge. This since he was six, his family having is an intimate meditation on cultural fled to England in the aftermath of the dislocation and the search Vietnam War. He arrives ahead of his for belonging. brother to seek out a place to scatter

suspenseful family drama, screening THE HOST here in 35mm, mixing stunning visual BONG effects with satirical and slapstick humour, while tackling dark personal JOON HO and political issues. The Host took inspiration from a real incident from 2000, in which an American at the US SAT 28TH (20.30) military base in Seoul ordered Korean employees to dump embalming waste down a drain. (GWOEMUL) Bong Joon Ho’s (Parasite) third film, FILM INFO: an imaginative monster blockbuster, The screening will be introduced by 120 mins, South Korea, 2006, centres on a family doing everything in Dr. Kevin Cawley, Director of the Irish 35mm, Subtitled its power to save their daughter, Hyun- Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard Institute of Korean Studies at University Seo, who has been swept away by an College Cork (UCC). amphibious creature who has emerged from Seoul’s Han River. This is a witty,

16 DWELLING IN the city that will host the 2022 THE FUCHUN Asian Games. Working with local people, family MOUNTAINS and friends, and shot over the course of two years, Xiaogang tells GU XIOGANG the story of four brothers, and the profound connections they have with

SUN 29TH (13.10) Gate Films © Factory their surroundings, played out against (CHUN JIANG SHUI NUAN) the backdrop of the changing seasons, Chinese filmmaker Gu Xiaogang’s the life of the river, and the immense FILM INFO: debut feature is set in his hometown 154 mins, China, 2019, and emotional transformation of the Digital, Subtitled of Fuyang, south-east China. Fuyang city. This strikingly beautiful film, Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard is going through dramatic changes – a full of sweeping long takes and The screening will be humble place now being overwhelmed breathtaking scenery, is crafted introduced by Dr. Qi Zhang, by social and economic upheavals as it with meticulous detail. Assistant Professor, SALIS, transforms into a district of Hangzhou, Dublin City University.

someone who wronged him earlier in JINPA life. Jinpa, already worried about bad PEMA karma from killing a sheep, realises this encounter has deeper meaning. TSEDEN Based on Tsering Norbu’s book The Slayer, and his own novel I Ran Over a Sheep, this is Tibetan writer/filmmaker SUN 29TH (16.10) Pema Tseden’s sixth feature. Produced by Wong Kar-Wai, it is mesmerising cinema told through stylised (ZHUANG SI LE YI On a solitary road passing through ZHI YANG) photography and the barren plains of the remote plains of Tibet, truck driver Tibet. ‘This is a film about awakening. FILM INFO: Jinpa accidentally runs over a sheep. Once we are awoken, we can step onto 86 mins, China-Tibet, 2019, On picking up a mysterious hitchhiker, the road towards the future.’ Pema Digital, Subtitled he notices that his passenger has a Tseden. Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard silver dagger strapped to his leg. The hitchhiker reveals his mission, to kill

livelihood. Qingchang (Wang Jiajia), an WISDOM attractive and wealthy woman, appears in TOOTH their lives, and her growing romance with Guliang makes Guxi feel like an outsider. LIANG MING Meanwhile, Qingchang’s father, a mob boss, is accused of murder, but Guxi stumbles upon the truth. As winter sets in SUN 29TH (18.20) and temperatures plummet, things around Guxi become increasingly unclear. (RI GUANG ZHI XIA) Guxi and half-brother Guliang live in Chinese filmmaker and screenwriter Liang FILM INFO: Donggang, Liaoning, a city on China’s Ming’s remarkable and rigorous directorial 104 mins, China, 2019, northwestern border; they depend on each debut won both the Fei Mu Awards for Digital, Subtitled other financially and emotionally. Guxi Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard Best Director and the Roberto Rossellini works as a hotel maid, Guliang as a local Awards for Jury Award at the Pingyao fisherman. When an oil spill contaminates International Film Festival. the coastal waters, Guliang loses his

17 ARCHIVE AT BRIEF LUNCHTIME ENCOUNTERS OCTOBER 2015

DEAR SAINT OF OUR ISLE WOMEN IN FILM AND TV Join us for free films on Mondays, Wednesdays SHORT FILM SHOWCASE and Saturdays from collections at the IFI Irish TUES 24TH (18.15) Film Archive. Simply collect tickets at the IFI Box Office. Check www.ifi.ie for Opening a window on work by a new wave of women more information. filmmakers, IFI and Women in Film and TV Ireland (WFTI) present this inspiring programme of short PROGRAMME ONE films selected from a significant volume of work TRIAL AT TARA submitted by WFTI members. While these films A short but full-blown Hollywood drama where the couldn’t differ more in style, scope, genre and people of Tara, all druids and non-believers, are theme, they all have one thing in common: they are pitted against St. Patrick and his followers when directed and created by the Irish film industry’s most he lights a fir on the hill of Tara. The film ends with talented up-and-coming female creatives. a lengthy address to camera by Rosary Crusader, IFI is pleased to provide a space to enjoy and Mayo-born Fr. Patrick Peyton. critically engage with this work. WFTI is a voluntary, FILM INFO: 28 mins, Ireland, 1953, Digital, Black and White members-led organisation run by film and TV professionals, representing the creative, business, PROGRAMME TWO educational and technical divisions of the Irish HAIL GLORIOUS SAINT PATRICK audio-visual sector. A meticulous record of the Patrician Year 1961, a year of religious celebration loosely marking 1,500 With filmmaker introductions and a prize for best years of devotion to St. Patrick in Ireland. The film film (selected by a WFTI jury). Full details of the features the visit of Papal Legate Cardinal Gregorio programme will be available online – www.ifi.ie and Pietro Agagianian to Ireland where he is greeted www.wft.ie. by President Éamon de Valera, Taoiseach Seán EVENT INFO: 120 mins Lemass and Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. He travels to Maynooth, Cork City, Thurles, and Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn Dublin city, including suburbs Whitehall, Kimmage, Ringsend and Blackrock. FILM INFO: 26 mins, Ireland, 1961, Digital

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn

18 FROM THE VAULTS: CONCLUSIONS: JOHN BOORMAN Q&A + SIGNING

THUR 12TH (18.15)

SCREENINGS Join us for a very special evening Conclusions continues the story of his I DREAMT I WOKE UP to celebrate the publication of John life that Boorman began with Adventures In this whimsical film featuring Boorman's Conclusions with screenings of of a Suburban Boy and shares what has friends and family, John two short films, followed by a Q&A hosted happened since its publication: films Boorman reflects on his life by Donald Clarke of The Irish Times. made (such as the award-winning in film through the mystical landscape of his Wicklow home. The General) and unmade; new FILM INFO: 44 mins, UK, John Boorman is one of cinema's knowledge about the craft of film- 1991, Digital authentic visionaries whose travels have making; and, ultimately, the story of his TREE POEMS taken him from London in the Blitz to kith and kin, including the death of his John Boorman’s poetic ode to the the pinnacle of Hollywood success: the cherished elder daughter. ancient trees that surround him. man behind films such as Point Blank, FILM INFO: 11 mins, Ireland, Deliverance, Excalibur, Hope and Glory, Tickets cost €20, including a signed 2020, Digital and The General. copy of the book. Free list suspended.

IFI TRIBUTE PIERROT LE FOU

WED 11TH (18.30)

DIRECTOR: In tribute to Anna Karina (1940-2019), of France with Marianne, his babysitter Jean-Luc Godard legendary figure of the French New Wave and ex-girlfriend who is on the run FILM INFO: and muse of Jean-Luc Godard, we present from gangsters. 110 mins, France, 1965, Pierrot le Fou, in which she stars as the Digital, Subtitled unforgettable Marianne Renoir. Filmed in glorious widescreen colour Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard by Raoul Coutard, Godard transforms Godard had already shot five films with cinematic conventions with wild editing Karina including A Woman is a Woman and breaks in continuity. Pierrot le Fou is (1961), Band of Outsiders (1964), and free-spirited, impulsive, glib and lyrical. As Alphaville (1965) before turning to this Samuel Fuller, famously defining cinema, dazzling masterpiece. Ferdinand/Pierrot says in a cameo appearance: ‘A film is (Jean-Paul Belmondo) is an unhappily like a battleground: love, hate, action, married man who flees Paris for the south violence, death — in one word, emotion.'

19 IRISH FOCUS IFI & IMMA: GLUE

TUES 10TH (18.30)

DIRECTOR: Glue is the first feature-length film by grave, and a maternity ward. Gary himself Oisín Byrne Oisín Byrne with artist and collaborator is linguistically pyrotechnic, quick-witted, FILM INFO: Gary Farrelly. Told through manic and and provocative, but it is the hesitations, 52 mins, Ireland, 2018, Digital confessional monologues and dialogues, slow-time and the intimate space of Gary, a crossdressing narcoleptic, delivers filmmaking that produce a portrait which a comic insight into our shattered is both tender and brutal. subjectivity. As Gary’s character comes off the mood-enhancing drugs used to Presented in collaboration with IMMA, this Q&A treat his narcolepsy, time and identity Dublin premiere is screening as part of their The screening will be current Desire exhibition. For more details, followed by a Q&A with are dislocated between places real director Oisín Byrne hosted by and imagined: Gary’s flat in Brussels, a see www.imma.ie. Rachel Thomas (IMMA Head disintegrating Irish country house, the of Exhibitions). ‘floating train’ in Wuppertal, Gary’s own

IFI & AEMI SIGNALS & CIRCUITS

WED 25TH (18.30)

DIRECTORS: Signals & Circuits is a programme of and technology, highlighting films in Various contemporary moving image works by which intimate or ordinarily private FILM INFO: Irish and international artists Jenny thoughts are vocalised and acts of 84 mins, 2014-2020, Finland-Ireland- Brady, Jussi Eerola, Laura Fitzgerald, speaking or mis/over-hearing, particularly UK-USA, Digital John Smith, Deborah Stratman and Yoga in recorded form, take on significances For The Eyes. Following its premiere at other than those originally intended. IFI in March the programme will tour to This gives rise in several instances to a number of additional venues both in concerns about illicit societal control aemi is an Arts Council-funded Ireland and abroad. Taking the ‘circuit’, and surveillance but ultimately this organisation that supports and exhibits moving image with all of its possible meanings, as a programme emphasises the political and work by artists & experimental conceptual framework, the programme cultural value of speaking out, either to filmmakers. For more purposefully complicates interconnected express an inner voice or strengthen the information visit www.aemi.ie. ideas relating to communication, travel power of collective struggle.

20 IFI FAMILY THE SECRET OF MOONACRE

SUN 29TH (11.00)

DIRECTOR: Magic, action and adventure shine in of the magical Moonacre pearls and the Gábor Csupó this adaptation of the classic children’s ancient war between the Merriweather FILM INFO: novel, directed by Gábor Csupó (Rugrats, and De Noir families. Wandering through 103 mins, Hungary-UK-France- Bridge to Terabithia). Mixing old style the crumbling mansion, where secrets Australia-USA-New Zealand, fairy-tale with Narnia-type escapism, seem to hide behind every door, she is 2008, Digital Notes by Alicia McGivern it’s the story of orphaned teen Maria guided by the powerful Moon Princess Merriweather, who is left alone with and sets out to undo the curse and save her madcap governess to find a new Moonacre Valley. life at her gloomy uncle’s home in Moonacre Valley. Tickets €5.50. A family ticket (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children) is With help from a magical book left by her available for €16.50. father, Maria finds out about the curse

WILD STRAWBERRIES WILD ROSE

WED 25TH & FRI 27TH (11.00)

DIRECTOR: Tipperary’s Jessie Buckley gets a real Wild Strawberries is our film club for over Tom Harper chance to shine in this tender country and 55s. Tickets: €5.50 including regular tea/ FILM INFO: western drama about a young Glaswegian coffee before the event. If you happen to 101 mins, UK, 2018, Digital who sees a way out of her troubled life look younger, please don’t take offence if Notes by Alicia McGivern through becoming a Nashville singing we ask your age. star. Director Tom Harper doesn’t let the underdog action get in the way of Buckley’s singing, which is mesmerising, as she tears her way through family drama, prison, and heartache, while her long-suffering mother (Julie Walters) holds it all together.

21 THE BIGGER PICTURE PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE

TUES 31ST (18.30)

DIRECTOR: What makes for a good comedy? is surface-bland, increasingly desperate Paul Thomas Anderson Is it the writing, the directing, or and ready to erupt. FILM INFO: performance? What kind of script 91 mins, UK-USA, 2001, Digital enables an actor, known mostly for a Erin McGathy, American comedian, Notes by Alicia McGivern particular brand of dim comic roles, to TV writer and Artistic Director of MOB show a totally different talent, sensitive, Theatre Dublin, will introduce the film complex and, indeed, funny? This film, and talk about it being overlooked at directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, box office, and how Sandler, seen only presented a whole new Adam Sandler to recently in cult hit Uncut Gems, revealed the world. Following his multi-narrative true comic talent and timing. epic Magnolia, the writer/director created an offbeat romantic drama in which Sandler, as a novelty salesman,

IFI IRISH FILM ARCHIVE TOURS

FRI 13TH & FRI 27TH (12.00)

The Irish Film Institute is home to the IFI Tickets cost €25. Tours in March take Irish Film Archive which works to ensure place at 12.00 on Friday 13th and Friday that Ireland’s rich and varied film history 27th. Guests can also avail of the tour is protected and accessible to current plus lunch in the IFI Café Bar for €39. and future generations. Spaces are limited and tickets must be booked in advance via www.ifi.ie. Visitors can now get an exclusive behind- the-scenes look at the Archive. The tour Please note that the Archive vaults, which gives an insight into the Archive’s various form part of the tour, are accessed via a collections and film vaults, revealing how narrow staircase and are not suitable we safeguard our collection of 30,000 for wheelchair users or guests with cans of film that date from 1897. limited mobility.