Great news for Irish film as Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board has announced that the upcoming feature Jimmy’s Hall, directed by Ken Loach, has been officially selected for the prestigious Festival de Cannes (May 14th to 25th, 2014), where it will have its world premiere. This UK/Irish/French co-production shot for seven weeks in Leitrim and Sligo last summer and stars Barry Ward, Simone Kirby and Andrew Scott, with a strong supporting cast of Irish talent.
James Hickey, CEO of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, commented:
We had the privilege of supporting The Wind That Shakes the Barley, directed by Ken Loach and co-produced by Element Pictures, almost ten years ago. We were delighted that Ken chose to return to Ireland to tell another important Irish story. Jimmy’s Hall features a wonderful lineup of Irish acting and creative talent, and it showcases the beauty of the Irish northwest. Having its premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where Ken Loach has had so many years of deserved success, means that the eyes of the film world will once again be on Ireland, the setting for this fascinating tale of courage and freedom.
Ken Loach has been a firm favourite at the Cannes Film Festival since his first feature, Kes, screened there in 1970. Since then, he has had a further sixteen films screen in and out of competition, for which he won the Palme d’Or (The Wind That Shakes the Barley), three Jury Prizes (The Angels’ Share, Raining Stones, Hidden Agenda) and a Young Cinema Award (Looks and Smiles).
Element Pictures, the film’s Irish co-producer, released the first trailer from Jimmy’s Hall earlier this month. The film will be released in Ireland and the UK on May 30th by Entertainment One.