| Los Angeles Irish Film
Festival
http://www.myspace.com/americancinematheque
An Aero Theatre Exclusive!
Presented in association with Irish Film Board and
E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America)
The LAIFF celebrates the Irish passion for storytelling, a tradition
that started around the hearth of every Irish household and has found its way onto the
world stage through the medium of film. Coupled with the treasures of Ireland’s
moviemaking past, LAIFF presents modern works as diverse as they are unique, creating a
cinematic barometer for the cultural climate of Ireland in 2009. A moving new documentary
about actor Gabriel Byrne and films about topics ranging from Ireland’s surfers
(WAVERIDERS) to its transgender community (IDENTITIES) are just the beginning; this
festival is broad enough to include animation (THE SECRET OF KELLS) and unique
coming-of-age stories as well. All of these films introduce questions to be posed and
truths to be sought -- so come and muse, debate, explore, celebrate and be
entertained with us ... and bring an umbrella just in case!
The festival starts on September 23 at the Motion Picture
Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theatre. For more information visit www.lairishfilm.com. Check out the industry seminar
on Friday afternoon.
Thursday, September 24 - 7:30 PM
Double Feature Gabriel Byrne In Person:
GABRIEL BYRNE: STORIES FROM HOME, 2008, South Wind
Blows/Harvest Films, 76 min., Dir. Pat Collins. A revealing look at the life and creative
impulse of Gabriel Byrne ("In Treatment"), one of the most respected actors of
his generation. Using intimate interviews and extracts from his journals and diaries, this
is an evocative and insightful film with universal appeal. Plus "Atlantic,"
(Ireland, 2008, 4 min.) Dir. Conor Ferguson. A quietly gripping tale of a lonely farmer
and the potentially life-changing letter on its way from the woman who loved and left him
many years ago.
PEACEFIRE, 2008, Goldcrest
Independent/mayFLY Entertainment, 87 min. Dir. Macdara Vallely. Colin (John Travers,
SONG FOR A RAGGY BOY) is a joy-riding hood who couldn’t care less about the local
political situation. But a chance encounter with a ruthless detective (Gerry
Doherty) turns him into an informer for the so-called forces of law and order and a target
for retribution for his father’s old mates in the Irish Republican Army. "...
(M)uch of its dramatic power comes from quiet, visually poetic moments." –
Peter Brunette, The Hollywood Reporter. Trailer
Plus "Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty"
(Ireland, 2008, 6 min.) Dir. Nicky Phelan. A seemingly sweet old lady loses the plot as
she tells her version of Sleeping Beauty to her terrified granddaughter. Discussion between films with Gabriel Byrne.
Friday, September 25 - 7:30 PM
Double Feature: CHERRYBOMB, 2009, Little Film Company, 86 min. Dirs. Lisa
Barros D’Sa & Glenn Leyburn. Teenagers Luke, Malachy and Michelle embark on a
wild weekend of drinking, drugs, shoplifting and stealing cars. But what starts out as a
game turns deadly serious when they discover they can’t get off the wild ride
they’ve set in motion. With Rupert Grint (HARRY POTTER’s Ron Weasley), Robert
Sheehan ("Young Blades," "Foreign Exchange"), Kimberley Nixon (EASY
VIRTUE), James Nesbitt ("Cold Feet," "Murphy’s Law"). Plus "Call
Me Son" (U.K., 2008, 11 min.) Dir. Louis McCullagh. When you’ve had more
parents than birthdays, the last thing you want are two more. Trailer
IDENTITIES, 2008, Underground Films,
84 min. Dir. Vittoria Colonna Di Stigliano. Charting the multicolored, multicultural
transgender community in Ireland, five stories give shape to the worlds of transvestism,
transsexualism, drag, sexual identity and gender dysphoria. A film that forgoes
stereotyping in favor of an empathetic look at the human spirit. Plus "Out of the
Blue" (Ireland, 2008, 9 min.) Dir. Michael Lavelle. A lonely man’s life is
suddenly transformed when he discovers an old TV floating in the sea.
Saturday, September 26 - 1:00 PM
Documentary Short Program:
THE BOYS OF ST COLUMB’S (2009, 53
min.), Dir. Tom Collins. This documentary tells the story of some of
Ireland’s most famous sons, including Seamus Heaney, Eamonn McCann and John Hume.
Plus "Raise the Last Glass" (2009, 11 min.) Dirs. Lucy Kennedy, Lauren
Kesner. When Waterford Crystal closed its main factory in January, its longtime workers
staged a sit-in for almost two months to try to save their jobs. Plus "Guests of
Another Nation" (1988, 28 min.), Dirs. Mark Stewart, John Fleming. Recently
rediscovered, this 1988 film uses interviews to capture the alienation of young Irish
emigrants in London in the late 1980s.
Saturday, September 26 - 4:00 PM
Family Matinee! THE SECRET OF KELLS, 2009, Buena Vista Films, 75
min. Dirs. Tomm Moore & Nora Twomey. Adventure, action and danger await
12-year-old Brendan, who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and
complete the legendary Book of Kells in this acclaimed animated film. Featuring the voices
of Brendan Gleeson (IN BRUGES) and Mick Lally ("Ballykissangel"). Winner of
2009 Audience Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. "...the kind
of movie where you want to keep stopping it to admire the many elaborate layers that
nearly every frame is loaded with." – Jeremy W. Kaufman, Destroy All
Podcasts DX. Join us at 3:00 PM at Every Picture Tells a Story
for an hour of Irish storytelling. Trailer
Saturday, September 26 - 7:30 PM
Double Feature! Spotlight Screening: KISSES, 2008, Oscilloscope, 72 min. Director Lance Daly’s
powerful film follows Kylie and Dylan, two 11-year-olds whose innocence is challenged on a
daily basis. When both kids find themselves in danger of severe abuse at the hands of
their elders, they run away to Dublin. Over the course of a long night in the city, the
kids face various dangers and turn to each other for love, friendship and safety. "A
modern-day romantic fairytale amidst a pitiless city backdrop, ‘Kisses’ heralds
the coming of the next generation in Irish filmmakers in Daly." – Gavin
Burke, entertainment.ie. "It’s always warm and engaging -- and
terrifically played by its young leads." – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian. Trailer
WAVERIDERS, 2009, Inis Films, 80
min. Dir. Joel Conroy. Detailing the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing
phenomenon, Conroy showcases the world-class surfing destinations off the northwest coast
of Ireland. The story unfolds via the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of
Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman George Freeth, who was responsible for the rebirth of
this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early 20th century. Winner of the Audience Award at
the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. "...A documentary of
universal appeal..." – Mike Sheridan, entertainment.ie. Plus "Countdown"
(Ireland, 2008, 3 min.) Dir. David Tynan. Adapted from Adrian Wistreich’s poem
"Countdown to Ecstasy," this short film follows Robbie and Sinead’s
relationship in the months and the night leading up to Sinead’s overdose. Trailer
Sunday, September 27 - 5:00 PM
25th Anniversary of the Dun Laoghaire National Film
School: IRISH SHORT FILMS, 60
min.
We celebrate the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology’s (IADT)
25th anniversary by showcasing the best work of its 25 years of graduates, including
Kirsten Sheridan (AUGUST RUSH), Ken Wardrop (CONTAGIOUS), Ciaran Donnelly ("Cold
Feet," "The Tudors"), Aisling Walsh (LITTLE BIRD), Declan McGrath (REIGN OF
FIRE), Donal Nolan (WANTED, ANGELS & DEMONS) and James Mather ("Adam &
Paul," "Prosperity").
Sunday, September 27 - 7:30 PM
Hugh Leonard Tribute:
DA, 1988, FilmDallas Pictures,102 min. Dir. Matt Clark. A New
York playwright is summoned to Ireland to bury his father (his "Da"). While at
his boyhood home, he encounters his father’s spirit and relives memories both
pleasant and not. Barnard Hughes re-creates his stage role in the movie version of
Hugh Leonard’s popular stage play. With Martin Sheen. Discussion
following with Martin Sheen (schedule permitting). Reception following. Author Mary Pat
Kelly will be signing her latest book, Galway Bay, starting at 6:30 p.m. in
the lobby of the theatre. Roger
Ebert Review |
