The Los Angeles Irish Film Festival (
LAIFF) today announced the program for the 2009 Los Angeles Irish Film Festival (Wednesday, September 23 - Sunday, September 27, 2009) including the U.S. premieres of
Cherrybomb,
Peacefire,
Identities,
Gabriel Byrne: Stories from Home and
The Secret of Kells and a series of events and workshops.
The LAIFF celebrates the Irish passion for storytelling, a tradition that started around the hearth of every Irish household and has found its way onto the world stage through the medium of film. Coupled with the treasures of Ireland’s moviemaking past, LAIFF presents modern works as diverse as they are unique, creating a cinematic barometer for the cultural climate of Ireland in 2009. The 2009 Los Angeles Irish Film Festival is co-presented by
ELMA
(European Languages and Movies in America) and
The American Cinematheque . The Irish Film Board (Bord
Scannán na hÉireann), Ireland’s national film agency, is a partner of
LAIFF. IFTA (Irish Film & Television Academy) will co-present the
Closing Night Event.
"We are proud to be bringing five U.S. premieres to festival audiences," said Festival Director Lisa McLaughlin-Strassman. "The strong lineup for the 2009 Los Angeles Irish Film Festival continues to demonstrate that the new wave of filmmaking in Ireland is maturing, and we are pleased to be able to provide a forum for its storytelling tradition."
"From established directors to first time filmmakers, from Hollywood stars and rising unknown actors, low budget indie to award winning animation; we are pleased to offer such a wide range of extraordinary films," said Juli C. Lasselle, Los Angeles Irish Film Festival programmer.
Previously announced, Magnolia Pictures' supernatural drama
The Eclipse kicks off the festival with its west coast premiere at the Linwood Dunn Theater located at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street, Hollywood, California on Wednesday, September 23. From celebrated playwright Conor McPherson, the film stars Ciarán Hinds (
There Will Be Blood,
Munich) and Aidan Quinn (
Michael Collins,
Legends of the Fall). Back by popular demand, the rare Irish silent film
The Days of St. Patrick will also screen on Opening Night accompanied by a live orchestra with a newly extended version of the original score composed by Eimear Noone.
Except for opening night, the remainder of the LAIFF's program of screenings and events will take place at the Aero Theater, Cinematheque, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, California.
The festival will close with a tribute to acclaimed Irish playwright Hugh Leonard, who died in Dublin in February of this year, with a screening of DA, the classic film based on his popular Tony-award winning semi-autobiographical stage play. The film stars Martin Sheen and
Barnard Hughes (awarded a Tony for Best Actor for his performance on Broadway). DA tells the story of a successful playwright who returns home to Ireland after the death of his father — his “
da” — and finds himself revisiting all the frustrations of their relationship. Irish President Mary McAleese lauded Leonard as a writer who "infused his work with a unique wit, all the while demonstrating a great intuition, perceptiveness and forgiveness of human nature."
The festival will screen
Cherrybomb (U.S. premiere), directed by Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn, written by Daragh Carville, starring Rupert Grint (
Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince), Kimberley Nixon and Robert Sheehan. The film is a thriller about two best friends in Belfast whose friendship is tested by the arrival of a captivating, troubled beauty who encourages them to carry out increasingly dangerous and illegal deeds in the battle for her affections - with fatal consequences. Worldwide sales are being handled by The Little Film Company.
The festival will present
Peacefire (U.S. premiere), the debut feature by writer-director Macdara Vallely, based on his critically acclaimed one-man play, starring John Travers (
Song For a Raggy Boy,
Closing the Ring). A gritty tale set in in 1990's Northern Ireland, the film is about a working class joy-riding hood whose chance encounter with a ruthless policeman (Gerry Doherty) turns him into an informer for the forces of 'law and order', making him a target of retribution for his father's old acquaintances in the IRA.
Other U.S. premieres include a moving new documentary about actor Gabriel Byrne ("
In Treatment") entitled Gabriel Byrne: Stories from Home, a revealing look at the life and creative impulse of Byrne, one of the most respected actors of his generation, directed by Pat Collins; Vittoria Colonna Di Stigliano's Identities about Ireland's transgender community and the ground-breaking animated film,
The Secret of Kells directed by Tomm Moore & Nora Twomey.
Additional highlights of the festival include
Kisses directed by Lance Daly, about two kids facing various dangers who turn to each other for love and friendship and
Waveriders a film about Ireland's surfers, directed by Joel Conroy.
SCHEDULED 2009 PROGRAMThe festival starts on Wednesday, September 23 with the Opening Night Gala screening of The Eclipse at the Motion Picture Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theatre located at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street, Hollywood, California on Wednesday, September 23, followed by a reception hosted by The Irish Film Board at the Pickford Center.
From one of Ireland's most celebrated living playwrights, Tony Award-nominated writer/director Conor McPherson ("
The Seafarer," "
Shining City"),
The Eclipse is a supernatural drama starring Ciarán Hinds (
There Will Be Blood,
Munich) who delivers a compelling performance as a widower who suspects his house in haunted, in addition to Aidan Quinn (
Michael Collins,
Legends of the Fall) and Iben Hjejle (
High Fidelity).
Back by popular demand, the rare Irish silent film
The Days of St. Patrick (1920 - B & W - directed by Norman Whitten) will also screen on Opening Night accompanied by a live orchestra with a newly extended version of the original contemporary score composed by Irish composer Eimear Noone. The film tells the story of 4th Century Saint Patrick- the prince who became a slave, the slave who became a priest, the priest who converted a nation.
The Irish musical trio
The Henry Girls will be traveling from Donegal, Ireland to perform on opening night and during the festival.
The remainder of the LAIFF's program of screenings and events will take place at the Aero Theater, Cinematheque, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, California.
Thursday, September 24 - 7:30 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Double Feature:
GABRIEL BYRNE: STORIES FROM HOME, 2008, South Wind Blows/Harvest Films, 76 min., Dir. Pat Collins. A revealing look at the life and creative impulse of Gabriel Byrne ("
In Treatment"), one of the most respected actors of his generation. Using intimate interviews and extracts from his journals and diaries, this is an evocative and insightful film with universal appeal. Plus
Atlantic, (Ireland, 2008, 4 min.) Dir. Conor Ferguson. A quietly gripping tale of a lonely farmer and the potentially life-changing letter on its way from the woman who loved and left him many years ago.
PEACEFIRE, 2008, Goldcrest Independent/mayFLY Entertainment, 87 min. Dir. Macdara Vallely. Colin (John Travers,
Song For a Raggy Boy) is a joy-riding hood who couldn’t care less about the local political situation. But a chance encounter with a ruthless detective (Gerry Doherty) turns him into an informer for the so-called forces of law and order and a target for retribution for his father’s old mates in the Irish Republican Army. “... (M)uch of its dramatic power comes from quiet, visually poetic moments.” - Peter Brunette, The Hollywood Reporter. Plus Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty (Ireland, 2008, 6 min.) Dir. Nicky Phelan. A seemingly sweet old lady loses the plot as she tells her version of Sleeping Beauty to her terrified granddaughter.
Friday, September 25 - 7:30 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Double Feature:
CHERRYBOMB, 2009, Little Film Company, 86 min. Dirs. Lisa Barros D’Sa & Glenn Leyburn. Teenagers Luke, Malachy and Michelle embark on a wild weekend of drinking, drugs, shoplifting and stealing cars. But what starts out as a game turns deadly serious when they discover they can’t get off the wild ride they’ve set in motion. With Rupert Grint (
Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley), Robert Sheehan ("
Young Blades," "
Foreign Exchange"), Kimberley Nixon (
Easy Virtue), James Nesbitt ("
Cold Feet," "
Murphy’s 
Law"). Plus
Call Me Son (U.K., 2008, 11 min.) Dir. Louis McCullagh. When you’ve had more parents than birthdays, the last thing you want are two more.
IDENTITIES, 2008, Underground Films, 84 min. Dir. Vittoria Colonna Di Stigliano. Charting the multicolored, multicultural transgender community in Ireland, five stories give shape to the worlds of transvestism, transsexualism, drag, sexual identity and gender dysphoria. A film that forgoes stereotyping in favor of an empathetic look at the human spirit. Plus
Out of the Blue (Ireland, 2008, 9 min.) Dir. Michael Lavelle. A lonely man’s life is suddenly transformed when he discovers an old TV floating in the sea.
Saturday, September 26 - 1:00 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Documentary Short Program: T
HE BOYS OF ST COLUMB’S (2009, 53 min.), Dir. Tom Collins. This documentary tells the story of some of Ireland’s most famous sons, including Seamus Heaney, Eamonn McCann and John Hume. Plus Raise the Last Glass (2009, 11 min.) Dirs. Lucy Kennedy, Lauren Kesner. When Waterford Crystal closed its main factory in January, its longtime workers staged a sit-in for almost two months to try to save their jobs. Plus
Guests of Another Nation (1988, 28 min.), Dirs. Mark Stewart, John Fleming. Recently rediscovered, this 1988 film uses interviews to capture the alienation of young Irish emigrants in London in the late 1980s.
Saturday, September 26 - 4:00 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Family Matinee!
THE SECRET OF KELLS, 2009, Buena Vista Films, 75 min. Dirs. Tomm Moore & Nora Twomey. Adventure, action and danger await 12-year-old Brendan, who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells in this acclaimed animated film. Featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) and Mick Lally ("
Ballykissangel"). Winner of 2009 Audience Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. “...the kind of movie where you want to keep stopping it to admire the many elaborate layers that nearly every frame is loaded with.” - Jeremy W. Kaufman, Destroy All Podcasts DX. Join us at 3:00 PM at Every Picture Tells a Story for an hour of Irish storytelling.
Saturday, September 26 - 7:30 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Double Feature! Spotlight Screening:
KISSES, 2008, Oscilloscope, 72 min. Director Lance Daly’s powerful film follows Kylie and Dylan, two 11-year-olds whose innocence is challenged on a daily basis. When both kids find themselves in danger of severe abuse at the hands of their elders, they run away to Dublin. Over the course of a long night in the city, the kids face various dangers and turn to each other for love, friendship and safety. “A modern-day romantic fairytale amidst a pitiless city backdrop, 'Kisses' heralds the coming of the next generation in Irish filmmakers in Daly.” - Gavin Burke, entertainment.ie. “It’s always warm and engaging -- and terrifically played by its young leads.” - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.
WAVERIDERS, 2009, Inis Films, 80 min. Dir. Joel Conroy. Detailing the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon, Conroy showcases the world-class surfing destinations off the northwest coast of Ireland. The story unfolds via the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman George Freeth, who was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early 20th century. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. “...A documentary of universal appeal...” - Mike Sheridan, entertainment.ie. Plus
Countdown (Ireland, 2008, 3 min.) Dir. David Tynan. Adapted from Adrian Wistreich’s poem “Countdown to Ecstasy,” this short film follows Robbie and Sinead’s relationship in the months and the night leading up to Sinead’s overdose.
Sunday, September 27 - 5:00 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
25th Anniversary of the Dun Laoghaire National Film School: IRISH SHORT FILMS, 60 min.
We celebrate the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology’s (IADT) 25th anniversary by showcasing the best work of its 25 years of graduates, including Kirsten Sheridan (
August Rush), Ken Wardrop (
Contagious), Ciaran Donnelly (“
Cold Feet,” “
The Tudors”), Aisling Walsh (
LITTLE BIRD), Declan McGrath (Reign of Fire), Donal Nolan (Wanted, Angels and Demons) and James
Mather (“Adam & Paul,” “Prosperity”).
Sunday, September 27 - 7:30 PM - AERO THEATER, CINEMATHEQUE, 1328 MONTANA AVE., SANTA MONICA
Hugh Leonard Tribute:
DA, 1988, FilmDallas Pictures,102 min. Dir. Matt Clark. A New York playwright is summoned to Ireland to bury his father (his “
Da”). While at his boyhood home, he encounters his father’s spirit and relives memories both pleasant and not. Barnard Hughes re-creates his stage role in the movie version of Hugh Leonard’s popular stage play. With Martin Sheen. Discussion following with Martin Sheen (schedule permitting). Reception following.
For more information about the festival including the complete line-up,
and to purchase general admission tickets to individual films at LAIFF
go to
http://www.lairishfilm.com. 
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