Category Archives: Irish Film

Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn

Liam Neeson is reprising his role as Qui-Gon Jinn in the Disney+ animated franchise series TALES OF THE JEDI. The series will span many years and different shorts. It will show many different characters from the Star Wars universe, from Jedi to Ahsoka Tano to Mace Windu. Dave Filoni helped create the series and currently works on the Lucasfilm’s live-action Ahsoka series. Though Neeson is not playing the character as he did before, it’s still a comfort to fans to know he’s still in the franchise.

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Irish Film

Murphy’s Most Iconic Roles

Cillian Murphy is a chameleon in Hollywood. From PEAKY BLINDERS to BATMAN, he proves time and time again that he is one of the most prolific actors of our time. Born in Cork County, Ireland, the actor found his love of performing arts at a young age. While he was initially interested in pursuing music (and was offered a record deal), he decided to study law. In honor of Murphy’s 46th birthday, L’OFFICIEL recognizes some of the star’s most impressive performances of his career.

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Irish Film, Irish Television

Mescal in Cannes

The actor is at the 75th edition of the prestigious festival to premiere two sweeping dramas in which he has complex leading roles. The first is Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer’s GOD’S CREATURES, a gripping thriller set on the Irish coast following a mysterious man  who is accused of a terrible crime that his devoted mother  can’t possibly imagine him committing. The second is Charlotte Wells’s delicate, touching AFTERSUN, in which he’s cast as a divorcé on a summer holiday in Turkey with his young daughter. Both films have been met with rave reviews, particularly for Mescal’s measured, nuanced performances.

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Irish Film

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Catch up with Gleeson

Gleeson has been a screen fixture in Ireland for more than 30 years, an anchor of the local film and television industry who has also worked with the best in the business internationally: Spielberg, Scorsese, Anthony Minghella, Ridley Scott, Danny Boyle, the Coen brothers, you name it. He has played Donald Trump and Winston Churchill. He’s a versatile actor, guaranteed to bring a bit of humanity and dramatic heft, more often than not spiced with a hint of menace, or at least grumpiness.

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Irish Film, Irish Television

Byrne and Gillen for Beckett biopic

Irish actors Gabriel Byrne and Aidan Gillen have joined the cast of the upcoming Samuel Beckett biopic, DANCE FIRST. Titled after Beckett’s famous adage “Dance first, think later,” the film is a sweeping account of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright’s life. The film is a playful and often poignant exploration of the life of the literature icon, delving deep into the key relationships in Beckett’s life — mainly the two women he was close to. The film is expected to begin shooting in Budapest on May 30. 

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Irish Film

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AN CAILÍN CIÚIN in cinemas May 12

Critically acclaimed Irish language film AN CAILÍN CIÚIN will be released in cinemas across Ireland and Britain from this Thursday, May 12. AN CAILÍN CIÚIN is based on Foster by Claire Keegan and is the feature film debut of writer and director Colm Bairéad and producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi. Since its premiere in February, the film has impressed critics and scooped awards at a number of film festivals.

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Irish Film

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Hot Docs Review: NOTHING COMPARES

NOTHING COMPARES is a powerful reminder of just how revolutionary Sinéad O’Connor was as a female artist in the 80’s and 90’s. Decades ahead of her time in fashion, music and political causes, O’Connor arrived out of nowhere, taking the world by storm with her never-before-experienced attitude and sound. This gripping documentary will remind you of the raw glory of her incredible voice, her ballsy commitment to institution-challenging statements and her amazing artistic vulnerability. O’Connor was decades ahead of her time and we just weren’t ready for her.

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Irish Film

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Hot Docs Review: MILLION DOLLAR PIGEONS

MILLION DOLLAR PIGEONS is a crisp documentary by Irish director Gavin Fitzgerald that takes a semi-humourous look at the rapidly-changing world of pigeon racing. Once the domain of dedicated amateurs, the sport has evolved into a highly competitive, and ridiculously lucrative, global sporting phenomenon. Well worth the approx 100min duration, MILLION DOLLAR PIGEONS will teach you more than you never knew you didn’t know about this evolving sport, pairing that with wonderful cinematography and snappy, candid interviews. 

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Irish Film

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