Irish horror film Fréwaka has sold in international markets following its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland over the weekend, where it received strong reviews.
Written and directed by Aislinn Clarke, the Irish language feature stars an all-female cast including Clare Monnelly (Doineann, ‘Moone Boy’), Bríd Ní Neachtain (The Banshees of Inisherin, Róise & Frank), and Ukrainian actress Aleksandra Bystrzhitskaya (F20).
Eye For Film praised the film for its "visceral scares" and "genuine terror" (Eye For Film). The Film Verdict described it as a “chilling, over-the-top Irish-language folk horror”, while Screen Daily praised “top notch performances from Ní Neachtain and Monnelly” and Cineuropa highlighted its ability to "sweep you away from the very first frame" (Cineuropa). Meanwhile, New Europe Film Sales, who are handling international sales for the film, announced that they have sold the film to Japan (Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures Inc.) and Spain (Filmin) and that they were already in “advanced talks” with North America and U.K.
Fréwaka (to be released in Ireland by Wildcard as Fréamhacha and later broadcast on TG4 as part of CINE4) revolves around care worker Shoo (Monnelly), who is sent to a remote Irish-speaking village to care for an agoraphobic woman (Ní Neachtain), who fears both the neighbours and the Na Sídhe – sinister folkloric entities she believes abducted her decades before.
As the pair develop a deep connection, Shoo becomes consumed by the old woman’s paranoia, rituals, and superstitions, eventually confronting the horrors from her own past.
