The 69th Cork International Film Festival has launched with a bang and we’re only getting started. Running until Sunday 17th November, there are plenty of chances for you to be among the first to experience the latest and best films right here in Cork. Read on below for recommendations on some of the fantastic films + live Q&As in our lineup for the coming Sunday and Monday.
GREEN SCREEN: PETRA KELLY – ACT NOW! + PANEL DISCUSSION
Petra Kelly – Act Now! by Doris Metz (2pm, Sun 10th Nov, Triskel Art Centre)
Petra Kelly was one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century. In 1980, she co-founded the German Green Party, the world’s first green party to rise to prominence. She fought relentlessly for radical social change, disarmament and a society at one with nature. For Kelly, environment, peace and human rights issues were one. She was convinced that a single person could change the world.
Filmmaker Doris Metz will discuss Petra’s legacy and her close relationship with Ireland with Gisela Holfter, director of the Centre for Irish-German Studies at University of Limerick and John Barimo, manager of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Ireland (UCC). The discussion will be hosted by Ingrid de Doncker, Co-founder & Head of Research and Innovation at Future Planet.
Green Screen is sponsored by our Sustainability Partner Future Planet. Together, we were awarded Best Small Sponsorship by the Business to Arts Awards 2023 for our partnership to improve climate literacy and promote activism.
IRISH VOICES: TRUMPETS + Q&A
Trumpets (4pm, Sun 10 Nov, Arc Cinema)
After travelling to Italy on the anniversary of her son’s death, Magda – a Polish immigrant to Ireland – returns to Donegal, where she has a life changing encounter with a refugee, newly arrived from Rwanda. With Malgosia Bela (Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria). Shot on location in Bagno Vignoni, Italy, and Donegal, Ireland.
Director Yvonne McDevitt returns to Cork International Film Festival to present her new feature film, Trumpets, following her ‘In Conversation’ event from CIFF 2022 during her tenure as UCC Film Artist in Residence, and her short film Myrrh from CIFF 2023.
This special preview will be followed by a discussion between Yvonne McDevitt and filmmaker Maximilian Le Cain focusing on the flagship Arts Council / IFI ‘Authored Works Award’, of which Yvonne is the first woman to win the award, and the landscape of Experimental Filmmaking in Ireland.
A bespoke preview screening of Yvonne McDevitt’s latest feature film in advance of its Dublin Premiere at the IFI. An Arts Council of Ireland ‘Authored Works’ feature film by special permission of its exhibition partner, the Irish Film Institute.
ILLUMINATE: SILENT MEN + PANEL DISCUSSION
Silent Men (5.30pm, Sun 10 Nov, Triskel Arc Centre)
Have you ever felt a sense of revolt build up against the unfair demands placed on little boys who, asked to ‘man up’, must forever swallow their sadness and their urge to confide?
Director Duncan Cowles takes us on a both serious and humorous journey through male mental health, stigma and taboo in the UK. Decided to confront his own struggles with opening up to loved ones, and acknowledging that deeply rooted patterns are passed on from one generation to the next, the filmmaker leans on a handful of men close to him who accept to answer his questions about the difficulty to show and express their emotions.
A panel discussion will follow the screening on Sunday, 10 November, with filmmaker Duncan Cowles, Dr. John O’Mahony (UCC) and Dr. Paul Duggan and hosted by Dr. Johnny Goodwin (UCC)
Illuminate is supported by the HSE
DISRUPTORS: THE SEVERED SUN + Q&A
The Severed Sun (8.30pm, Sun 10 Nov, Triskel Art Centre)
Margaret ‘Magpie’ Edwards is part of an isolated religious community, the daughter of The Pastor – a strict man with ideals as unwavering as his commitment to punishment. When Magpie shocks everyone by murdering her abusive husband, she awakens a dark, malevolent and ancient force in the forest which sends fear and paranoia throughout the devout flock as it craves the blood of wrongdoers.
A folk horror steeped in the tradition of the genre but as fresh as the bloody wounds inflicted during its runtime, The Severed Sun is the debut feature from writer-director Dean Puckett, and boasts suitably unnerving performances from Emma Appleton (Lola), Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) and Jodhi May (The Last of the Mohicans, The Witcher).
Director Dean Puckett will attend the screening and participate in a post-screening Q&A hosted by Si Edward, Programme Manager.
CULINARY CINEMA: WELCOME TO JAIL + Q&A
Welcome to Jail (7.45pm, Mon 11 Nov, Triskel)
Filmed over three years, Welcome to Jail (Benvenuti In Galera) tells the story of the world’s first restaurant opened inside a penal institution. Located at the Milan Bollate Prison, In Galera is a concrete example of social reintegration for inmates. What makes it unique is not only the high-quality dining experience it offers, but above all the stories and perspectives that intersect here.
For some inmates, working in the kitchen or the dining room is a chance to prove their ability to keep up with professional standards in the industry and demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team. And it is also a way for the outside community to get in touch with prison reality in a new and different way.
Join food writer and founder of Flavour.ie Kate Ryan along with the people behind Cork’s own prison restaurant project: The Open Door, for a fascinating discussion on rehabilitation through upskilling in the culinary arts. The panel will include: Liam Spacey, Governor Cork Prison; Karen C. Whelan, Chief Officer Work Training, Cork Prison; JJ Healy, Culinary Lecturer MTU & The Open Door Project Coordinator, and Odran Lucey, Head Chef, Rose Hotel, Tralee.
WORLD TOUR: THE FABLE + Q&A (REPEAT)
The Fable (1.15pm, Mon 11 Nov, Arc Cinema)
Soft-spoken Dev owns a sprawling estate of several orchards and lives in a colonial-style house with his family. He spends a lot of his time building human-sized wings which he puts on to take a quick morning flight over his land. One day, while walking through the estate, he discovers a single burnt apple tree. A few days later, more trees are burnt. A group of nomads comes under suspicion and a corrupt police officer gets involved, while loyal men camp out in the orchards to keep a vigilant watch at night. Despite all these measures, a massive fire breaks out a week later and engulfs an entire mountainside of trees. Dev is forced to face the truth about himself and his family.
Ram Reddy’s 2015 film Thithi took the festival world by surprise and was showered in awards. The quality of its screenplay, of its non-professional ensemble cast, its humour and sincerity: Reddy was one to keep an eye on.
Director Raam Reddy will be attending the screening.
