Jamie

A flat-out hilarious period drama based on Jane Austen’s comic gem novella.  A seductive widow uses her razor-sharp wit and wiles to win the ultimate prize – the heart of an eligible bachelor.

With razor-sharp wit and a cunning that can’t be underestimated, the beautiful and recently widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale) takes up residence with her in-laws in a bid to win the heart of the eligible Reginald De Courcy, her sister-in-law’s wealthy and dashing younger brother. Using merciless tactics and resourcefulness, Susan out-manoeuvres all who stand in her way, while also charming and enchanting when required.

Filmed entirely in Ireland and directed by Whit Stillman (Metropolitan), this adaptation of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan is a delightful jaunt where manners and social standing are key, and a lady is only as good as her last husband. Love & Friendship is a rarity: an 18^th century period drama with an over-arching sense of fun.

“One of the best films of the year.” –  Los Angeles Times

“Flat-out hilarious.  Jane Austen has never been funnier.” – The Telegraph

“A triumph.” – New York Times Critics’ Pick

“Witty and winning. Kate Beckinsale and Whit Stillman do Jane Austen proud.” – The Guardian

Ireland/Netherlands/France 2016| Language: English | 93 minutes | Cert: G

Director: Whit Stillman

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel

Told in flashback over 30 years of guilt and grief, Pedro Almodóvar’s tender melodrama based on three Alice Munro short stories is the auteur’s finest since his Oscar-winning Volver.  

Julieta lives in Madrid with her daughter Antía. They both suffer in silence over the loss of Xoan, Antía’s father and Julieta’s husband. But at times grief doesn’t bring people closer, it drives them apart.  When Antía turns eighteen she abandons her mother, without a word of explanation. Julieta looks for her in every possible way, but all she discovers is how little she knows of her daughter.

The film explores fate, guilt and the unfathomable mystery that leads us to abandon the people we love.

“moving and entrancing” ★★★★★ – The Guardian

“a guilt-soaked pleasure” ★★★★ – The Telegraph

Click here for official website.

Spain, 2016 | Language: Spanish | 99 minutes | Cert: 15A

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Cast: Emma Suárez, Adriana Ugarte, Rossy de Palma, Michelle Jenner

Paddy Breathnach’s compassionate drama about a Cuban gay man’s battle of wills with his father is the first Irish film shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Oscar. 

Winner – Best Irish Film, Audi Dublin International Film Festival 2016

Viva stars Héctor Medina as Jesus, a shy young hairdresser working at a Havana nightclub that showcases drag performers, who dreams of being a performer himself. Encouraged by his mentor, Mama (Luis Alberto García), Jesus finally gets his chance to take the stage. But when his estranged father Angel (Jorge Perugorría) abruptly reenters his life, his world is quickly turned upside down. As father and son clash over their opposing expectations of each other, Viva becomes a love story as the men struggle to understand one another and reconcile as a family.

Featuring boisterous and often heart-breaking drag performance, Paddy Breathnach’s Oscar-shortlisted crowd-pleaser is a tender and compassionate tale of finding one’s true voice.

“Less boy-meets-boy than boy-meets-himself, Paddy Breathnach’s drama – the first Irish film to be shortlisted for best foreign-language Oscar – is a triumph.” ★★★★ – The Irish Times

“A startlingly beautiful movie set in present-day Havana.” – Wall Street Journal

Click here for official website.

Ireland, Cuba, 2015 | Language: Spanish | 100 minutes | Cert: 15A

Director: Paddy Breathnach

Cast: Héctor Medina, Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García

In 1950s Estonia a champion fencer on the run from the KGB finds meaning by teaching war traumatised children.  A touching drama with universal appeal.  Golden Globe Nominee.

A young man, Endel Nelis, arrives in Estonia in the early 1950s. Having left Leningrad to escape the secret police, he finds work as a teacher and founds a sports club for his students. Endel becomes a father figure to his students and starts teaching them his great passion – fencing, which causes a conflict with the school’s principal. Envious, the principal starts investigating Endel’s background.

Endel learns to love the children and looks after them; most are orphans as a result of the Russian occupation. Fencing becomes a form of self-expression for the children and Endel becomes a role model. The children want to participate in a national fencing tournament in Leningrad, and Endel must make a choice: risk everything to take the children to Leningrad or put his safety first and disappoint them.

“An Estonian fencer gets heroic treatment in this well-crafted sports biopic.” – Irish Times

“Touché! Swordplay drama is directed with vim.” – The Guardian

Click here for official website.

Finland, Estonia, Germany, 2015 | Language: Finnish | 99 minutes | Cert: CLUB

Director: Klaus Haro

Cast: Mart Avandi, Ursula Ratasepp, Hendrik Toompere, Lembit Ulfsak

Romantic shenanigans abound in Rebecca Miller’s wry and immensely enjoyable New York romcom with an all-star cast.  “A smart, goofy delight.” – Vanity Fair

In Rebecca Miller’s witty modern romantic comedy Maggie (Greta Gerwig) is a 30-something New Yorker who decides the time has come to have a child on her own.  But when she meets John (Ethan Hawke), a ‘ficto-critical anthropologist,’ Maggie falls in love for the first time and adjusts her plans for motherhood.

Complicating matters, John is in a strained marriage with a scary Danish academic (a hilarious Juliette Moore).  With a Greek chorus of Maggie’s best friends observing wryly from the sidelines, Maggie sets into motion a new plan – and learns that sometimes destiny should be left to its own devices.

Maggie’s Plan is a sweet, sophisticated and funny exploration of the unexpected complexities of modern romance, directed with elegance and dash.

“A terrifically funny metropolitan comedy.” ★★★★ – The Guardian

“A serious screwball comedy.” – New York Times Critics’ Pick

Click here for official website.

USA, 2015 | Language: English | 98 minutes | Cert: 15A

Cast: Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph

The astonishing true story of a seemingly normal middle-class family that trafficked in the kidnapping, ransoming and murder of the wealthy.

Argentinian director Pablo Trapero’s audaciously entertaining true-crime saga is reminiscent of Scorsese at his best.  The disappeared — los desaparecidos — are words that carry special resonance in Argentina. Long associated with the crimes of the military junta of the 1970s, the term takes on a different, but no less chilling, in this film.

Based on a true story that rocked Argentina, The Clan tells the almost unbelievable tale of the Puccios, a family who kidnapped wealthy people off the street, held the victims for ransom, and, once paid, killed them.

It is a disturbing, impressive, and beautifully controlled film from a director whose work matures with each new project.

“A slick thriller that brilliantly juxtaposes domestic life and the kidnapping business.” ★★★★ – The Guardian

“A swaggering, black-hearted crime saga worthy of Scorsese.” ★★★★ – The Telegraph

“chilling” ★★★★ – Irish Times

Click here for official website.

Argentina, Spain, 2015 | Language: Spanish | 110 minutes | Cert: CLUB

Director: Pablo Trapero

Cast: Guillermo Francella, Peter Lanzani, Lili Popovich, Gaston Cocchiarale, Giselle Motta, Franco Masini, Antonia Bengoechea, Stefania Koessl

If there is anyone out there capable of remaining unmoved by this true-life triumph-of-the-underdog sports story, I don’t think I want to meet that person. – The New York Times

If you want to see film stardom look as easy as laughter, watch Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo in Queen of Katwe. The twosome give Mira Nair’s rainbow-toned pick-me-up about a young Ugandan chess prodigy exactly the magnetic charge it needs to stick. ★★★★ – The Telegraph

The vibrant true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess.  As a result of the support she receives from her family and community, she is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Starring Lupita Nyong’o, Academy Award Winner, 2014 Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave

Read the Irish Independent interview with David Oyelowo, the British actor who stars alongside Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o.  He was surprised Disney decided to set his latest film in the slums of Uganda.

“An uplifting and punchy look at the conflicts faced by 14-year-old Phiona.” ★★★★ – The Times (UK)

“A feel good triumph from Disney.” ★★★★ – Irish Times

“Could be the new Slumdog.” ★★★★ – The Guardian

USA, 2016 | Language: English| 124 minutes | Cert: PG

Director: Mira Nair

Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine