The Drummer and the Keeper
The Drummer and the Keeper

#IrishFilm: The Drummer and the Keeper to expand nationwide this weekend

One of our favourite Irish films of the year, Nick Kelly’s warmhearted, funny and endearing tale of friendship The Drummer and the Keeper will expand to further cinemas nationwide this weekend.

The film was released in cinemas on Friday September 8th and has been well received by audiences and critics, receiving four stars from outlets including The Sunday Times, The Sunday World, RTE.ie, Movies.ie, RTE Guide and Radio Nova.

The Irish Times refer to the film as “an accomplished work,”  The Sunday Times call it “A highly enjoyable, meaningful drama,” The Sunday World notes the “ assured performances from its two exceptional young leads,” Movies.ie describe it as an “impressive, quietly assured feature debut for writer / director Nick Kelly and RTE.ie compare it to “a home-grown About a Boy.”

We’re absolutely delighted at all the brilliant reviews and media coverage. The biggest thrill for me is the gut response we’re getting from the audiences in the cinemas. Gabriel and Christopher’s friendship seems to be striking a massive emotional chord. The film is getting lots of laughs, but people are also genuinely very moved by it.
Nick Kelly, Writer/Director

The Drummer and the Keeper tells the story of the unlikely friendship formed between two young men; Gabriel, a reckless young drummer who revels in rejecting society’s rules and Christopher, a 17 year old with Asperger’s Syndrome, who yearns to fit in. This heartwarming story, shows the strength of the human bond, in the face of adversity.

The film stars a collection of talented Irish actors including Dermot Murphy (Clean Break, Raw), Charlie Kelly (The Secret Scripture, Jadotville), Peter Coonan (What Richard Did, Love/Hate), Aoibhinn McGinnity (Moone Boy, Quirke, Love/Hate), Annie Ryan (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Laws of Attraction), Niamh Algar (Without Name), and introducing Jacob Mc Carthy.

Written and directed by Nick Kelly, whose short film Shoe was shortlisted for an Academy Award, The Drummer and the Keeper was produced by Kate McColgan for Calico Pictures (From the Dark), with support from the Irish Film Board.

The film is out now in cinemas via Element Pictures Distribution. Check out the film’s Facebook and Twitter for more.