In Loco Parentis / School Life

#IrishFilm: Touching documentary In Loco Parentis embarks on nationwide tour of cinemas

A documentary film set in Ireland’s last primary boarding school, which has been winning international critical acclaim, will open today, Friday at Dublin’s Irish Film Institute. In Loco Parentis by Neasa Ní Chianáin takes a heart-warming look at the lives of two soon-to-be-retired teachers—and a married couple of almost 50 years—whose passion and idiosyncratic teaching styles inspire and challenge the young students in their care.

Audiences are drawn into the topsy-turvy world of Latin and rock music, Shakespeare and forts in the magical Hogwart’s like 18th century Headfort School in Kells, Co Meath. The film will run twice daily from today (March 3rd to 10th) at the IFI with Filmmakers, Neasa Ní Chianain and David Rane attending a special screening at 4pm on Saturday afternoon for audience Q&A.

Following next week’s special event screenings in Omniplex Cinemas in Rathmines (March 6th), Dundalk (March 7th), Cork (March 8th) and Limerick (March 9th), In Loco Parentis will be rolled out in each of these four cinemas from March 10th. It will also go on general release to Eye Cinema, Galway, and Century Cinemas, Letterkenny from Friday, March 10th.

We are over the moon that audiences in Dublin and around the country will get a chance to see this life-affirming film.
Neasa Ní Chianáin

Critics at some of the world’s top documentary film festivals including IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam) and Sundance have variously described it as ‘engaging’, ‘uplifting’, ‘delightful’, ‘compelling’, ‘magical’ and ‘utterly charming’.

In Loco Parentis had its Irish debut at the Audi International Dublin Film Festival last week, where it received rapturous applause.

For full listings see www.inlocoparentis.ie

In Loco Parentis was funded by The Irish Film Board, the BAI, RTÉ, Section 481Tax Incentives, RTVE (Spain), Culture Ireland and supported by the Arts office of Meath County Council.