Irish Film Week 2012

Irish Film week will be coming to Israel with a diverse selection of contemporary Irish films. Now in its 13th year, Irish Film Week will take place at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque March 27 – 31, followed by screenings at the Jerusalem, Haifa, Sderot and Rosh Pina cinematheques. Gerard Hurley’s film The Pier will be the opening film, with a festive screening in Tel Aviv in the presence of the director. (Midnight East’s interview with Hurley – click here)

Films, Dates & Venues:

The Pier (2011) Directed by Gerard Hurley
Jack McCarthy left Ireland for the US 20 years ago when his business failed and he had to get out in a hurry. Now he’s called home by his father, Larry, who says he’s dying.  Finding his father apparently fit enough to hit golf balls in a field of cattle. Jack is furious but decides to stay in Cork when he meets an American tourist, Grace – although she’s quick to tell him she’s just out of a divorce and not ready for another relationship. Jack tries to call in debts from local people who owe his father money, but their time together becomes more and more unbearable until Larry is finally honest with his son.
Tel Aviv 27.3 at 21:00; Haifa 29.3; Jerusalem 31.3; Sderot 5.4 at 21:00; Rosh Pina 5.4 at 19:30.

One Hundred Mornings (2009) directed by Conor Horgan
Two couples hide out in a remote holiday home, trying to escape the consequences of a breakdown of society. Their relationships deteriorate as supplies grow scarce and they face increasing threats from hungry outsiders. In order to increase their chances of survival, they each have to make choices they never imagined would confront them.
Tel Aviv 29.3 at 20:00; Haifa 28.3; Jerusalem 3.4; Sderot 11.4 at 19:30.

Sensation (2010) directed by Tom Hall
A darkly comic love story that starts out as a story of lust. When his father dies, Donal, who has no interest at all in the family farm, strikes up a relationship with an antipodean escort girl called Kim. At first they are client and call-girl, then evolve into lovers, and finally – making use of Donal’s inheritance – become business partners. Their professional partnership soon falls foul of their personal insecurities, but what began as a soulless contract does eventually develop into a kind of love story.
Tel Aviv 31.3 at 22:00; Haifa 4.4; Jerusalem 1.4.

Lotus Eaters (2011) directed by Alexandra McGuiness
For Alice, an ex-model and struggling actress, for Charlie, a sweet and gifted musician who has lost all control of his life; and for Felix, with nothing in his head and a teenage girlfriend whom he’s been trying to leave since the moment they met…the choices are endless and the party never stops. But beauty and privilege are both skin-deep and you can’t let life go on happening to you forever. Alice, Charlie and Felix are in free fall, irresistibly lovely but utterly self-destructive, hurtling towards events that will overwhelm their fragile friendships and even destroy their lives.
Tel Aviv 28.3 at 20:00; Haifa 31.3; Jerusalem 4.4.

PARKED (2011) directed by Darragh Byrne
Fred lives a quiet, isolated life in his car, having lost all hope of improving his situation. That all changes when he forms an unlikely friendship with Cathal, a dope-smoking 21-year-old with a positive attitude, who becomes his ‘neighbor’. Sharing laughs, and the hard times too, Fred and Cathal find the simple, free pleasures of life.
Cathal is determined to make Fred sort his life out, and it works. Fred modifies his car, beats the welfare system and makes a friend in Jules, an attractive music teacher who lives alone nearby. But Fred struggles with his pride to tell Jules about his ‘home’, and Cathal’s life is threatened by his escalating drug habit. As they grow closer, the influence of these three outsiders on each other will change their lives.
PARKED is triumphant story of friendship, hope, and perseverance.
Tel Aviv 30.3 at 22:00, Haifa 2.4; Jerusalem 5.4; Rosh Pina 7.4 at 16:00.

Stella Days (2011) directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan
In the heart of County Tipperary in the 1950’s, Father Daniel Barry tackles a fundraising challenge – and satisfies a personal passion – by setting up a cinema in the village. He faces opposition from every side, from doubters, disapproving parishioners, and even his own crisis of conscience. Will he manage to resolve the conflicts between love and duty, hope and faith, the past and the future, Rome and Hollywood?
Tel Aviv 31.3 at 13:15; Haifa 4.4; Jerusalem 2.4.

Cinematheques:
Tel Aviv Cinematheque, 2 Sprintzak Street, Tel Aviv. 03-6060800
Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Road, Jerusalem, 02-5654356
Haifa Cinematheque, 142 Sderot HaNasi Street, Haifa, 04-8104299/302
Sderot Cinematheque, 4 Hadegel Street, Sderot, 08 – 6849695
Rosh Pina, 04-6801453