Irish feature film ‘Grabbers’ will be released in Irish cinemas on August 10, after Dublin-based production and distribution company Element Pictures picked up its distribution rights.
Belfast-born Jon Wright directed the monster comedy, which stars ‘Titanic’ actress Ruth Bradley and ‘W.E.’ actor Richard Coyle.
The film tells the story of two young Gardaí, one a heavy-drinking local (Coyle), the other a straight-laced (Bradley) newcomer, who face the challenge of protecting their village from squid-like creatures.
The story is based on a script from Kevin Lehane, the Cork man who wrote the award-winning short ‘Origin’. Also featured in the comedy are ‘Gavin and Stacey’ actor Russell Tovey, and Derry-born actress Bronagh Gallagher (Albert Nobbs).
Speaking on the release of the film, director Jon Wright commented that ‘Grabbers’ always intended to be a film "for the people", and he continued to say he “can't think of a better distributor to get it under their noses [than Element]. It's fantastic to have Element on board and I'm looking forward to banging the ‘Grabbers’ drum.”
Dublin’s Samson Films (Run and Jump) produced with Forward Films in the UK. The feature is also one of three Irish films screening at this week’s Edinburgh Film Festival.
The comedy had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival at the start of this year after it wrapped filming in Belfast and Donegal last year. It has also been chosen to open the 24th Galway Film Fleadh on Tuesday, July 10.
Other productions Element has distributed this month include Sé Merry Doyle’s acclaimed ‘John Ford - Dreaming the Quiet Man’ documentary, which was released on June 15.
Element will distribute ‘Grabbers’ in Irish cinemas nationwide from Friday, August 10. For more info on the Galway Film Fleadh visit www.galwayfilmfleadh.com.
