Irish talent shines at BIFA2022. GOD’S CREATURES, NOTHING COMPARES, YOUNG PLATO, IT IS IN US ALL, and THE WONDER are among the Irish titles named as nominees. Leading the nominations is Charlotte Wells’ AFTERSUN starring Paul Mescal, a poignant portrait of a father and daughter’s complex relationship. Irish Netflix drama THE WONDER also leads the way with 12 nominations.
Barry Keoghan goes beyond acting and has revealed he has taken two surprising side careers – boxing and construction. And in a sign just how serious he is about getting in the ring the Irish actor revealed he is facing a fight next month. The 30-year-old also revealed he has second job outside acting working with his girlfriend Alyson Sandro’s brothers and their own construction business. He said: ‘I’m going out and doing that three times a week, early in the morning. I’m satisfied by the end of the day. I feel like I’ve really worked, practically and creatively.’
Now on Amazon Prime, CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY stars Dublin-born actor Andrew Scott. Scott plays Lord Rollo, a man of supreme leisure who dresses like the founding father of medieval comfort. He swans around in silky robes over silkier caftans, lounging his days away on soft, fluffy poufs as he plots ways to marry off his teenage daughter (the titular Birdy, played by Bella Ramsey) to a wealthy suitor.
Saoirse Ronan is set to star in a highly anticipated film as a recovering addict, fresh out of rehab. The Irish actor has been cast in the movie adaptation of THE OUTRUN – a bestselling memoir by Amy Liptrot. A first look at the film shows a blue-haired Ronan looking stoic as Rona, who returns to the wild Orkney Islands of Scotland after a decade away.
A new film starring County Down-born comedian and presenter Patrick Kielty is to get its world premiere in Belfast on Nov 3. The drama BALLYWALTER was shot on a number of locations on the Ards Peninsula and in Belfast.
Kielty has acted on stage before but this is his first feature-film role.
DERRY GIRL Saoirse-Monica Jackson is set to star in UPGRADED. The ensemble cast includes the likes of Marisa Tomei (MY COUSIN VINNY), Camila Mendes (RIVERDALE), Anthony Head (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), and many more big names in TV and film. The film follows Ana, played by Camila Mendes, an aspiring art trainee as she attempts to follow her dreams. All the while, she tries to make ends meet.
Mullingar native Niamh Algar has joined the ranks of the Hollywood elite, starring alongside Florence Pugh in her latest Netflix hit, THE WONDER. When asked what she misses most about home since relocating to the UK, the 30-year-old simply said: ‘the people.’ THE WONDER hits Irish cinemas on November 2 and will be globally available to stream on Netflix from 16 November.
A look at some recent Irish horror movies may provide some insight into prevailing cultural and national anxieties of our time. Perhaps it is unsurprising, given our history, that many of our horror stories feature mothers who are grieving, mothers who are searching for their children, and mothers who feel that the world is conspiring to punish and silence them.