With today being International Women’s Day we are taking a look at ten of the best films now available to watch on VOD from Irish female directors. With the Irish Film Board actively working towards gender parity in the next few years these women show that Ireland has a strong base of female voices to be heard, and that increasing their number can only mean better things for the industry. All ten can be found on popular Irish VOD service Volta.
Snap
Winner of 2011’s Best Irish at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, this powerful drama from writer/director Carmel Winters is a carefully constructed film that depicts three generations of a family, all in denial about events in which they were undeniably implicated. Adam Duggan and Aisling Moran shine as the mother and son caught at the centre of this engaging and original drama.
Dollhouse
Adapted from an Enda Walsh play, Dollhouse is the third film from writer/director Kirsten Sheridan. The film centres on a group of disaffected Dublin teens break into a lavish property for a night of reckless fun. Six lunatics, one night, one secret, no control.
32A
Winner of Best First Film Galway Film Fleadh 2007, 32A is the debut of writer/director Marian Quinn. A charming coming-of-age story, the film sees a teenager, played by Ailish McCarthy, in 1970s Ireland finds it difficult to adjust to her changing body, attitudes and friendships. Beautifully shot by P.J. Dillon this one will long in the memory.
Eamon
This debut film from director Margaret Corkery was the recipient of the prestigious Independent Camera Award in the 44th Karlovy-Vary International Film Festival. he film tells the story of Eamon, a little boy with behavioral problems and the destructive relationship of his parents.
Christina Noble: In a House that Ceased to Be
We’re huge fans of this rich documentary from director Ciarin Scott. The film follows the Irish humanitarian and children’s rights activist, Christina Noble, whose unwavering commitment and selfless efforts have seen her better the lives of countless children since 1989. The film was winner of the George Morrison Feature Documentary award at last year’s IFTA awards, and is a rewarding watch.
All Good Children
All Good Children is the debut feature of writer/director Alicia Duffy, and stars a young Jack Gleeson. It had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was officially selected for the Director’s Fortnight. The film tells the story of Dara, a young Irish boy who is moved to rural France with his brother Eoin after the death of their mother. There, the boys befriend a local English family and the vulnerable Dara falls under the spell of their young daughter Bella, but when she begins to pull away, Dara’s feelings for her start to get out of hand…
One Million Dubliners
Another quite brilliant documentary, One Million Dubliners comes from Underground Films and director Aoife Kelleher. Glasnevin Cemetery is Ireland’s national necropolis, home to over one million people who by their final resting place, are honorary Dubliners. The cemetery has a remarkable history that makes it one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, along with being a place that evokes profound emotions for its regular visitors. One Million Dubliners reveals the often unspoken stories of ritual, love, loss, redemption, emotion and history.
Pyjama Girls
The debut feature documentary of director Maya Derrington, this film is a lot more than just a group of girls who wander around all-day in pyjamas. Pyjama Girls traces the intense and explosive micro-dramas of teenage life against the bleak backdrop of Dublin’s inner city flats.
The Secret of Kells
With Irish animation at its strongest ever we had to include an animation. Nora Twomey co-directs this stunning Academy Award nominated film with Song of the Sea‘s Tomm Moore. The film is the beautiful tale of Brendan, a young boy who lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.
As If I’m Not There
Winner of Best Film, Best Director, and Best Script at the 2011 IFTA Awards, this Bosnian/Irish co-production is the feature debut of Juanita Wilson. The film tells the story of a young woman from Sarajevo whose life is shattered the day a young soldier walks into her apartment and tells her to pack her things. Rounded up with the other women from the village and imprisoned in a warehouse in a remote region of Bosnia, she quickly learns the rules of camp life.