As audiences continue to flock to see The Young Offenders in cinemas across the country this week, the smash hit Cork comedy is going from strength to strength. Praised by critics and audiences alike, the film achieved a 19% increase in its second weekend and has surpassed €500k at the Irish box office today. This news comes a week after the film achieved the highest opening for an Irish film at the Republic of Ireland box-office this year.
The feature has also been taken on by US sales rep XYZ Films. The news comes after the film had its international premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas last Friday where it was ecstatically received, and is now up for the Comedy Features Jury Prize. It’s competing with five other films from all corners of the globe for the prize, including the Cannes hit Toni Erdmann which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Los Angeles-based XYZ Films, whose slate includes international indie hits such as The Raid, will now represent The Young Offenders for North American sales.
Inspired by Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure of €440 million off the coast of Cork in 2007, the laugh-out-loud comedy follows two Cork inner-city teenagers, Conor and Jock, as they embark on a 160km road trip on stolen bikes in the hopes of finding an unrecovered bale of cocaine.
The film stars newcomers Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, Ciaran Bermingham (Patrick’s Day), PJ Gallagher (Naked Camera), and Hilary Rose (The Centre,The Republic of Telly). Produced by Julie Ryan, it is a Vico Films production with Cormac Fox and Michael Doherty as executive producers. Creative talent includes Director of Photography Patrick Jordan (Talking to My Father, Leave), and Editor Colin Campbell (You’re Ugly Too), with music from Ray Harman (Love/Hate, Patrick’s Day).
The film will have its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival next month, which will be attended by the filmmakers and cast. The Young Offenders continues to screen in cinemas nationwide this week.
Find out more about the film and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter with #TheYoungOffenders.
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