Just days after winning the Screen Director’s Guild Finders Series Award for 2015, there is more good news for Mark Noonan’s new Irish film You’re Ugly Too. The film has been chosen by European Film Promotion (EFP) to screen for film buyers and industry professionals in New York in a bid to secure North American distribution.
The EFP describe the screenings, which will take place on June 29th, as an opportunity to “showcase films from different European countries with a commercial potential.” You’re Ugly Too was recently nominated for the Best First Feature Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, where the film had its World Premiere in the Generation Kplus category.
Reviews for You’re Ugly Too following its Berlinale debut were strong: The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “well observed debut for Mark Noonan” and described it as a “gentle reflection on the importance of trust and truth in relationships,” while Cineuropa lauded Noonan’s direction and singled out young actress Lauren Kinsella’s performance for praise.
Ahead of its Irish Release on July 24th, You’re Ugly Too will screen as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival this week, in the New Perspective Strand which celebrates work from emerging filmmakers. In July, the film will return home to screen as part of the much-loved Galway Film Fleadh.
Written and directed by Noonan, the film stars Aidan Gillen as Will, who is released from prison on compassionate leave to care of his niece Stacey, after the death of her mother. An odd couple of sorts, they leave the city behind to pursue what they both hope will be a fresh start in the sleepy surroundings of the Irish midlands. The two bicker and fight as they adjust to their new life together and make tentative steps towards becoming an improvised family.
You’re Ugly Too was produced by John Keville and Conor Barry for Savage Productions and was written and directed by Mark Noonan. The film was funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board.