The Irish Film Festival have announced a program of three free Movie Nights at the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2023.
WHEN: Thursday 16th, Friday 17th & Saturday 18th March
Gates open 4:30pm for a 5pm start
WHERE: Cadmans Cottage (Next to the MCA), The Rocks
PRICE: No tickets are required to attend the screenings
Among the highlights for the very first Free Outdoor Irish Film Festival is The Commitments – plus Singalong with live band and special guest Irish drag queen Peaches Queen. The Outdoor Irish Film Festival is part of the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival which also sees the Sydney Opera House go green on March 17th as well as a parade through The Rocks on Sunday 19th followed by a family-friendly, free festival in First Fleet Park, Customs House Square, MCA Lawn and Bligh & Barney Reserve.
Irish Film Festival Director, Dr Enda Murray said, “We are delighted to partner with the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Festival to bring this program of legendary Irish cinema to Sydney audiences. We have combined new documentaries on Irish music legends Phil Lynott and Shane McGowan
with some classic comedies such as The Guard and In Bruges. Throw in The Commitments (plus Singalong with live band) and family films such as Song of the Sea, The Quiet Man and Brooklyn and you have a great lineup of Irish culture for St. Patrick’s Day – and it’s all free!.”
The Program:
The Irish Movie Nights will showcase a total of 8 films over 3 days at Cadmans Cottage (next to the MCA) in The Rocks from Thursday the 16th of March to Saturday the 18th of March. The nights are free and the area opens at 4.30pm with the movies starting each night at 5pm.
The bar will be open serving up drinks and movie snacks along with some Irish themed food bringing you a taste of home while enjoying the show.
There are family films each day at 5pm (Song of the Sea, The Quiet Man, Brooklyn) followed by Irish favourites each night.
SCREENING PROGRAM
Song of the Sea (5pm, Thursday)
Oscar nominated film Song of the Sea, from the studio that brought us The Secret of Kells is a beautifully animated film that follows Ben, an Irish boy, and his mute sister Saoirse, who he blames for their mother’s death. However, Saoirse is a selkie who is responsible for liberating the fairies and protecting the spirit world from the Celtic goddess Macha. This beautiful film features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, David Rawle and the heavenly singing of Lisa Hannigan.
The Commitments (7pm, Thursday) followed by Commitments Singalong
Set in the Northside of Dublin, The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed young music fanatic who decides to put together a soul band of unlikely Dublin hardshaws. The film features a young Glen Hansard, singers Maria Doyle Kennedy and This 1991
BAFTA awarding winning film is based of the Roddy Doyle novel of the same name.
The movie will be followed by The Commitments Singalong with live band ‘The Dublin City Cowboys’. “The Dublin City Cowboys are the best fake Irish soul band in the southern hemisphere” – Bono.
The Quiet Man (5pm, Friday)
After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton (John Wayne) leaves America and returns to his native Ireland, hoping to buy his family’s homestead and live in peace. In doing so, he runs afoul of Will Danaher, who long coveted the property. Will strongly
objects when his fiery sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O’Hara), begins a romance with Sean, and refuses to hand over her dowry. Mary Kate refuses to consummate the marriage until Sean retrieves the money. Winner of Best Director at the 1953 Academy Awards. New Yorker movie
reviewer, Richard Brody called it “as much an anthropological adventure as a romantic rhapsody”.
Phil Lynott – Songs for While I’m Away (7:15pm, Friday)
Emmy-winning director and multi-award winning film editor, Emer Reynolds tells the story of how a young black boy from 1950s working class Dublin became one of Ireland’s Greatest Rock Stars as the lead singer and songwriter for 70s supergroup, Thin Lizzy. It charts his grit and determination to succeed despite the odds, his talent and intellect, his family life and the substance abuse which led to his untimely death at 36. Family, friends and former band members contribute anecdotes and memories to this insightful and touching tribute to the artist and the man.
Crock of Gold – A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (9:15pm, Friday)
A cinematic exploration of the trials and tribulations of the phenomenally well-read lead singer of The Pogues and The Popes, Shane MacGowan, aka the Punk Poet. Director Julien Temple tells Shane’s story from growing up in Ireland, to time spent on the streets of London, to forming The Pogues and more, delving into MacGowan’s passions, intellect, humor, deep knowledge of music, history, spirituality and popular culture. It features friends of the singer, including Johnny
Depp, Bono and Nick Cave.
Brooklyn (5pm, Saturday)
Brooklyn is a co-production between the UK, Ireland and Canada starring renowned Irish Actress Saoirse Ronan. The film follows Eilis Lacey, a young woman emigrating from Ireland to Brooklyn in the 1950s to find work. After building a life in Brooklyn she is drawn back to her home town in Ireland and is forced to choose where she wants to build her future.
The Guard (7pm, Saturday)
This buddy cop comedy film staring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle follows a crass and confrontational Garda Sergeant and an American FBI agent as they hunt down Irish drug traffickers, who are believed to be awaiting a massive seaborne delivery of cocaine from Jamaica. At the time of release this was the most successful independent Irish film of all time (according to box-office sales), overtaking The Wind that Shakes the Barley. The Guard was directed by John Michael McDonagh and kicks off a McDonagh brother dark comedy double bill tonight.
In Bruges (9pm, Saturday)
In Bruges is a 2008 black comedy-drama crime film starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two London-based Irish hitmen in hiding, with Ralph Fiennes as their boss. When they get stuck in Bruges, Belgium, after an unsuccessful mission. The situation becomes complicated when
their boss asks one to kill the other. In Bruges was written and directed by Martin McDonagh who is currently in the running for several Oscars for his film The Banshees of Inisherin. John Michael McDonagh and his brother Martin were both born in London of Irish parents. Film website IMDB claims that “At the age of 27 Martin McDonagh was the first writer since Shakespeare to have 4 plays running simultaneously in London’s West End”.
WHEN: Thursday 16th, Friday 17th & Saturday 18th March
Gates open 4:30pm for a 5pm start
WHERE: Cadmans Cottage (Next to the MCA), The Rocks
PRICE: No tickets are required to attend the screenings