Mismantler
A fascinating, unique experience, Mismantler is a dark, stream of consciousness fever dream that ressembles nothing you've seen on the big screen.
Post-apocalyptic landscapes are pictured in a number of major films that are now part of the collective unconscious. Terminator, The Road are clear influences for Andrew Keogh. His obstinate, close-up dive into the physicality of surviving, however...is its own thing. As if acknowledging that Eraserhead or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre have as much to tell us about it as Threads does.
A collaboration between Director Andrew Keogh, Steve Stapleton & Nurse With Wound, the film grew out of animated visuals for a live Nurse With Wound show. The main character 'The Mismantler' is taken from a collage by Stapleton.
The film's multitalented director has another film at the festival, This is a Prison, presented in Irish Voices.
Followed by a Q&A with the director.
Watch our Senior Programmer, Don O’Mahony talk about why he picked this film as one of his must-see movies of CIFF 2025, here.
Cork International Film Festival is delighted to return to its Principal Venue, The Arc Cinema on North Main St, Cork, for its 70th Festival edition, Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November 2025.
The Arc Cinema Cork is home to The GATE Screen — a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the beloved former Gate Cinema — and an ideal spot for meeting fellow festival goers in between screenings. The GATE Screen features luxurious double sofa seats and tables, creating an intimate and sophisticated viewing experience. It is dedicated to showcasing arthouse films, including independent and local productions, foreign and Irish language titles throughout the year.
