Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland presents a new trailer Escape to the Cinema: showcasing new Irish films arriving in cinemas over the coming weeks and months.
Irish audiences can look forward to an eclectic mix of fresh Irish film highlights for December and beyond including Cartoon Saloon’s critically acclaimed Wolfwalkers, Phil Lynott documentary Songs For While I’m Away, Sundance debut Herself from Mamma Mia director Phyllida Lloyd and Arracht, Ireland’s official Irish-language entry for next year’s Academy Awards.
Whether it is new worlds, exploring our shared past, or diving into the ups and downs of our musical icons – there is a story and an escape for everyone. Ultimately, at the heart of all of these films is the incredible artistry and craft from Irish filmmakers and creative talent.
As Irish cinemas reopen nationwide this month, six distinct and original Irish films will be released throughout December, showcasing the diverse and eclectic range of Irish stories on screen available for audiences to choose from.
Out Now / Friday, 4th December
Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s Wolfwalkers is the Cartoon Saloon-produced animated adventure that has received almost unanimous critical acclaim since its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September. The film has been widely tipped to be in the running for Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards next year, with international critics calling it “the best animated film of the year”.
Julien Temple’s Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan is a documentary chronicling the turbulent and unruly life of the punk folk icon and leader of The Pogues. Winning the Jury Prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival in October, The Guardian called Crock of Gold “hugely entertaining and revealing” and The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “richly researched, consistently entertaining documentary that should appeal beyond narrow fan circles”.
Mary McGuckian’s A Girl From Mogadishu is a powerful, inspiring film based on the true story of global gender based violence activist, Ifrah Ahmed. Starring Aja Naomi King as Ifrah Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi and Orla Brady, it follows the activist’s journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States where she is trafficked to Dublin, and her emergence as a formidable campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation around the world.
Two by Two: Overboard! is the Galway-produced animated feature, a sequel to the 2015 family adventure retelling the story of Noah’s ark. Two by Two: Overboard! was initially released in October in the UK, where the film topped the UK box office, a remarkable achievement for an Irish film and A particularly significant achievement in light of COVID-19 challenges, the film’s sound and picture post-production completed under lockdown in Ireland.
Friday, 11th December
Kieron J. Walsh’s The Racer is the cycling drama following a ‘Domestique’ support rider on the Irish portion of the infamous 1998 Tour de France, also known as the ‘Tour du Dopage’. Due to premiere at SXSW, which was cancelled due to COVID-19, the film received strong reviews on its Irish Premiere at the 65th Cork International Film Festival.
Saturday, 26th December
The highly anticipated Phil Lynott documentary Songs For While I’m Away from Emmy Award-winning director Emer Reynolds is “a sweet, sad trip down memory lane”. Following the life and music of the legendary Thin Lizzy frontman, the documentary tells the story of how a young black boy from working class 1950s Dublin became Ireland’s greatest rock star.