The Galway Film Fleadh kicks off today (full programme below), running until Sunday, 15 July, 2012. The six day 2012 international film event welcomes a variety of filmmaking and filmmakers from around the world, attracting directors, actors, cinematographers and artists of all generations and cultural backgrounds.
Speaking at the launch, Festival Programmer Gar O’Brien commented: “This year is without doubt a banner year for Irish film and alongside the usual mix of the best in world cinema and documentaries, the Galway Film Fleadh is proud to host an unprecedented number of new Irish films, including 13 world premieres, seven European premieres and seven Irish premieres. Between the opening film Grabbers, a wonderfully comedic Irish take on the monster genre, and the closing film Shadow Dancer, a tense thriller about a mother’s divided loyalties during the Troubles, this year’s fleadh showcases the best that cinema has to offer – all blended through a uniquely Irish sensibility.”
The festival line-up includes offerings from the best in Irish, European and world cinema. Director Jon Wright will attend the screening of his monster comedy movie, set in rural Ireland, Grabbers, on Tuesday, 10 July at The Town Hall Theatre. Thursday, 12 July sees the screening of The Good Man, staring Aiden Gillen (Queer as Folk, Love Hate, Game of Thrones) also at The Town Hall Theatre.
Other ones to watch in this year’s fleadh include a Hamlet-esque tragedy played out in the traveller community in King of The Travellers, a dramatic and touching multi-strand narrative in the Derry-set Jump and beauty, loss and redemption in Sanctuary. The Galway Film Fleadh will also play host to Good Vibrations an alternative look at Ulster in the punk era, the New York coming-of-age drama Baby Girl, an utterly charming retro sci-fi in Earthbound, the often-tragic life of a bachelor farmer in Pilgrim Hill and the stunning majesty of Silence.
On the documentary front the festival will screen Paul Duane’s tale of one of America’s last great outlaws in Very Extremely Dangerous, the remarkable story behind one of the world’s most recognisable photos of the New York skyline in Lón sa Spéir and The Gentleman Prizefighter’s biography of ‘gentleman’ Jim Corbett, one of the first true stars of the celebrity era.
Disney Pixar’s new animation Brave, set in ancient Scotland, will screen at Eye Cinema on Wednesday 11th July at 6pm. Directed by Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, John Carter of Mars) and Brenda Chapman (The Lion King, Prince of Egypt), Brave is an adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humour, which is enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
The festival will also have a strand dedicated to Danish film, which is one of the powerhouses of European cinema. The selection of new Danish films include Mads Matthiesen’s Teddy Bear, a heart-warming tale of a cripplingly shy Copenhagen body-builder’s quest for love. Other highlights include the screening of The Perfect Stranger, staring Colm Meaney, as well as a strand of films dedicated to the best in the horror genre.
This year’s guest of honour at the Galway Film Fleadh is the internationally renowned French actress, Isabelle Huppert. Celebrated for her versatility and fearless approach to acting, Huppert has portrayed some of world cinema’s most provocative female characters. Isabelle has had the most films in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival and is one of only four actresses who have won the Best Actress Award twice.
Take a look at the programme below.
