Director Seán Ó Cualáin explores the power of an image in the documentary Men at Lunch. The photo of construction workers on a lunch break became a meme before the concept was invented, yet few are aware of its origins, and not much is known about these men. Through close examination of the photo Ó Cualáin tracks the men in the mythic image, some all the way to Ireland. Men at Lunch is just one of the films featured in Irish Film Week, taking place from November 24 – 30, 2014, with screenings at the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa Cinematheques.
Irish Film Week program:
Mister John (Ireland, 95 min, 2013)
A mysterious drama directed by husband and wife team Christine Molloy and John Lawlor. Aiden Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones) stars as Gerry, businessman unhappy over his recent discovery of his wife’s infidelity, heads off to Singapore to deal with the aftermath of his brother’s sudden death.
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 24th; Haifa – Nov 29th; Jerusalem – Nov 25th
Good Vibrations (Ireland/UK, 103 min, 2012)
The Belfast punk scene and its ‘godfather’ record store owner Terri Hooley is the focus of this musical bio-pic directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa. Richard Dormer stars as Hooley.
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 25th; Haifa – Nov 27th; Jerusalem – Nov 27th
Men at Lunch (Ireland/US, 75 min, 2012)
Directed by Seán Ó Cualáin
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 26th; Haifa – Nov 30th; Jerusalem – Nov 24th
Ballymun Lullaby (Ireland, 72 min, 2011)
Music teacher Ron Cooney has worked with youth in the Ballymun district (described as Ireland’s only high-rise housing project) for 15 years, watching changes take place in the area that affect the lives of these young people. He is determined to let them express their talents and tell their story in song. Directed by Frank Berry, the film documents this experience.
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 27th; Haifa Nov 24th; Jerusalem – Nov 29th
Life’s a Breeze (Ireland, 88 min, 2013)
Hoarder mum (Fionnula Flanagan) has hidden away her considerable savings inside an old mattress; when her son intervenes to have her mess cleaned up, the mattress is thrown out. Mayhem ensues… directed by Lance Daly.
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 29th; Haifa – Nov 25th; Jerusalem – Nov 29th
The Pier (Ireland/US, 86 min, 2011)
A poetic yet unsentimental look at the relationship between a father and son, reuniting in Ireland after many years of silence and separation. Starring Gerard Hurley and Lili Taylor. Read the interview with director/screenwriter Gerard Hurley here.
Screenings: Tel Aviv – Nov 30th; Haifa – Nov 26th; Jerusalem – Nov 30th
