If you were to give me a quid for every Irish film about a cheeky young lad who owes a dodgy oul’ lad money, I’d be able to lend you a fair amount of cash, you ballsy little scamp, you!
Seven Academy Award Nominations for Irish Film Board funded films suggests our movie making tastes have evolved quite a bit in recent years.
However, many great Irish films are still not getting the credit or notice they deserve.
That is until now!
Here are 7 Irish hidden gems that you definitely won’t regret watching.
Adam and Paul
There’s more to Lenny Abrahamson than Room and looking slightly like the author of this article. His first feature, Adam and Paul, demonstrated a subtle sensitivity which is now his trademark.
The movie follows a day in two addicts’ life as they tragically, and sometimes comically, try to secure a hit.
Trivia: The two lead actors, Tom Murphy and Mark O’Halloran, were asked to leave the set by Gardaí who did not realise they were the stars.
Clip via Emmet O’Neill
Kisses
Kisses is more than just a coming of age story about two children on the search of an inner city adventure, it is a love letter to a flawed and vulnerable Dublin.
Trivia: Kisses’ writer and director Lance Daly had a small part as ‘child playing a harmonica’ in The Commitments.
Clip via warnervod
Disco Pigs
Watch Cillian Murphy as Pig. Watch his nuances. Watch the power and emotion in his performance. Watch how he is that characther.
This is the part he was born to play.
Trivia: Murphy and Disco Pigs writer, Enda Walsh still regularly collaborate. Their recent play Ballyturk wowed audiences at home and abroad.
Clip via peterweircave
Eden
Set in the midlands, Eden tells the story of a middle aged couple whose relationship is in the middle of a breakdown. It’s far from a middling movie though. In one word: heartbreaking.
Trivia: The author of this article had a small part in this movie as the ‘barman.’ Honestly, check IMDB!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFe2tNyODA0
Clip via Movie Trailer
Grabbers
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, then this Edgar Wright style horror-comedy may be the movie for you.
It’s Shaun of the Dead with an ounce or two of Father Ted.
Trivia: English actor Richard Coyle’s attempt at the Irish accent is probably the best ever done by a foreign actor.
Clip via Movieclips Trailers
Patrick’s Day
A story about love, obsession and mental health. This is one of the best movies that has been produced in Ireland in recent years.
Trivia: Patrick’s Day star, Kerry Fox, was also in Intimacy, the first mainstream English language film with an unsimulated sex scene to be passed uncut in Great Britain.
Clip via WildCard Distribution
You’re Ugly Too
You’re Ugly Too follows a criminal who receives early release to look after his troubled niece.
It’s an excellent examination of imperfection and is definitely worth a view. The deserving winner of Best Irish First Feature at the 2015 Galway Film Fleadh.
Trivia: David Geraghty of Bell X1 fame provides a terrific score for this impressive movie.
Clip via SilversaltPR
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