The critically acclaimed documentary The Swell Season is set to open in the IFI on Friday, December 6th ahead of screening during one of Ireland’s most unique music events, Other Voices, in Dingle on the 7th and 8th December.
In 2008, the world fell in love with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová when their musical collaboration in the Irish film Once culminated in a jubilant Oscar win. As their fictional romance blurred with reality, they fell in love, recorded an album and embarked on a world tour which is documented by the directors Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis in The Swell Season.
To celebrate the release of The Swell Season, the IFI are also screening the film that started it all, Once, on the 10th and 14th December. Once is the modern-day musical film, directed by John Carney, that charmed audiences across the globe. Set on the streets of Dublin it tells the story of a busker (Hansard) and an immigrant (Irglová) who fall in love over an eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs together.
Speaking about the release of The Swell Season in the IFI, Michael Hayden, Programmer said: [quote]I’m delighted we are able to support the release of The Swell Season and screen it at IFI. Achingly romantic and with a wonderful soundtrack, it plays like a sequel to Once, a delightful and touching successor to John Carney’s much loved film. It’s a pleasure to present the films side by side for IFI audiences.[/quote]
The Swell Season opens in the IFI on December 6th. It will screen with Once on December 10th and December 14th. Tickets are available on www.ifi.ie. The film will screen in the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle during Other Voices on December 7th and 8th. Cork audiences will also get the chance to see the film when it plays in the Triskel Christchurch in January.