Tag: irish cinema

Ireland has a brilliant reputation in filmmaking today, but this wasn’t always the case.

Back in the early and mid-20th century, as the U.S., India, UK, Italy and France redefined cinema, the Irish were focused on other mediums, like writing, painting and music.

This started to change, however, in the latter half of the century.

From the 80s on, popular and acclaimed movies started to make waves globally while actors and directors – like Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy and Jim Sheridan, to name a few – became household names.

Fast forward to today, and filmmaking is as integral to Irish culture as Guinness, Father Ted and Thin Lizzy.

And, being Paddy’s Day, what better time to celebrate this?

Here’s a list of some of the fantastic movies from Ireland, many of which, by the way, Inflight Dublin has put onboard planes as part of their inflight entertainment offering.

If you represent an airline, we can do the same for you: send a message to mail@inflightdublin.com to learn more.

Wolfwalkers

Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, Give Up Yer Aul Sins… The Irish have a real flair for animation.

Wolfwalkers, by renowned studio Cartoon Saloon, is the latest masterwork.

Recently nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes, it has, just this week, made the Oscars category for the same.

And rightly so. From the mysterious, engaging story, to the stunning artwork, to the charming voice acting, this is a serious achievement.

A must-see!

Michael Collins

One of Ireland’s highest performers at the Box Office, both at home and abroad, Micheal Collins is arguably the country’s most well-known film.

Directed by Neil Jordan and starring Liam Neeson, it’s both a big-screen blockbuster, and an absorbing account of a key point in Irish history.

Some questionable accents aside, it’s still a great film. 😉

The Young Offenders

The Young Offenders is the definition of a breakout hit.

Made on a meagre budget of €50,000, it brought in almost fifteen times that at the Box Office, and has since become a hit TV series.

A spin on a real news story, it’s follows Conor and Jock, two teenagers from Cork, as they embark on a 160km road trip, on bikes, in the hopes of finding a bale of cocaine. Seriously!

A movie packed with warmth and wit, and great one-liners. For example: “There are two things you need for an adventure: a treasure map and someone dumb enough to go with you”.

Vivarium

Directed by up-and-comer Lorcan Finnegan, and starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, Vivarium is an intriguing mix of social commentary and psychological horror.

It’s about a young couple who buy a new house in a neighbourhood full of identical ones. Problem is, as they soon find out, they can’t leave. Things only get weirder from there.

A distinctive film with a pertinent message, as well as some impressive, and very creepy, set and sound design.

Sing Street

Who doesn’t love Sing Street?

About a boy who starts a band to impress a girl he likes, it’s touching, very funny, and loads of fun.

With tunes from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Jam, Joe Jackson and Motörhead, and some fantastic original music, the soundtrack is on point, too.

My Left Foot

Daniel-Day Lewis’ Christy Brown is what we all think of when we think of My Left Foot.

Understandably, of course. it’s a masterclass, and bagged him his first of three Oscars.

But the movie wouldn’t be what it is without the exceptional cast: Brenda Fricker, as Bridget, deservedly won Best Supporting Actress, while Ray McNally’s portrayal of Christy’s dad is outstanding.

Twenty-two years since its release, My Left Foot remains one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and respected films.

Brooklyn

Ok, as you might guess, Brooklyn isn’t set in Ireland for much of its runtime. But there’s enough here to consider it, at least partly, an Irish film.

Directed by John Crowley (Intermission, The Goldfinch), and based on the novel by Colm Toibín, it’s a moving, bittersweet, and ultimately uplifting, story.

Saoirse Ronan, in a role that cemented her reputation as a major acting talent, is wonderful as Eilis. 

The Camino Voyage

Ireland produces some excellent feature-length documentaries. The Camino Voyage is one of the best.

Released in 2018, it’s about a crew of five (one of whom music fans may recognise) attempting to sail across the 2,500 kilometre stretch of sea between Ireland and Spain – otherwise known as the Camino.

It’s inspiring, special, and for reasons I won’t go into lest I spoil it, more than a little heartbreaking.

The Commitments

Film critic Renee Schonfeld had this to say about The Commitments:

I couldn’t agree more.

About Jimmy Rabbitte, a music-obsessed lad who gets a soul group together, The Commitments is one of Ireland’s most loved and enduring films.

If you haven’t seen the performance of “Mustang Sally” from the movie, you’ve been missing out:

A Date for Mad Mary

What a charming film this is!

It’s about “Mad” Mary McArdle, who embarks on a series of disastrous dates as she tries to find a plus-one for her best friend’s wedding. Things start looking up, though, when Jess appears on the scene…

The recipient of Best Film at the 2016 IFTAs, A Date for Mad Mary is a hilarious, kind-hearted movie about friendship, love and growing up.

Martin

One of the best shorts I’ve seen, Martin is a mini-documentary about a man who lives under a bridge in Dublin.

He doesn’t consider himself homeless though, and is, according to director Donal Moloney, “probably the happiest man I have ever met”.

But this isn’t just a character study or a social critique: it’s also about the friendship that develops between director and subject.

Insightful and inspiring.

Handsome Devil

Handsome Devil is one of those that anyone can enjoy, and everyone should see.

Fionn O’ Shea and Nicholas Galitizine are Ned and Conor, two opposites who develop an unlikely bond while attending a rugby-obsessed school.

Also starring Andrew Scott as the boys’ inspiring teacher, the strong cast is matched by a screenplay that skillfully blends comedy and drama.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Directed by Ken Loach and starring Cillian Murphy, this historical drama, about two brothers fighting on opposite sides of the Irish Civil War, is gripping and hard-hitting.

Wonderful to look at, too; Barry Ackroyd’s cinematography is excellent.

It won the 2016 Palme D’Or and, with a return of over earning €2.7 million on its theatrical run, became the most popular independent Irish film ever released in Ireland.

The Quiet Man

Ok, so it’s heavy on the clichés (I almost expect a leprechaun with a pot o’ gold to jump out at some point), but park the cynicism, and you’ll find a lot to enjoy in The Quiet Man.

The setting, for instance. Filmed in beautiful County Mayo, and expertly shot by celebrated cinematographer Winton C. Hoch, it all looks exceptionally lovely.

It’s also fun to see two pioneers of the Western, John Forde and John Wayne, do their thing in a very different environment. Best of all is Maureen O’ Hara’s performance as Mary Kate Danaher, which is simply iconic. 

Ok, so Citizen Kane it is not; but what list of Irish films would be complete without The Quiet Man?

Written by Conor Regan.

Inflight Dublin prides itself on providing the highest quality content to our clients, and this includes the best that Irish cinema has to offer. If you’d like to learn more, contact us at mail@inflightdublin.com.