London Film Critic’s Circle Laud Irish Acting Talent | The Irish Film & Television Network

The category of British Actor in a Supporting Role sees a nomination for Irish actor Michael Fassbender for his role in Andrea Arnold’s ‘Fish Tank’. The film tells the story of a volatile 15-year-old girl whose world is changed when her mother brings home a mysterious stranger in the shape of Fassbender’s character, Connor. Michael will compete with John Hurt for his role in ‘44 Inch Chest’, Jason Isaacs for ‘Good’, Alfred Molina for ‘An Education’ and Timothy Spall for ‘The Damned United’

Anne-Marie Duff is in the running in the British Actress in a Supporting Role group for her role in Sam Taylor Wood’s ‘Nowhere Boy’ as Julia, John Lennon’s estranged mother. The other actresses featured in this category are Emily Blunt for ‘Sunshine Cleaning’, Rosamund Pike for ‘An Education’, Kierston Wareing for ‘Fish Tank’ and Olivia Williams for ‘An Education’.

Finally, 15 year-old Irish actress Saoirse Ronan is a candidate for the title of The NSPCC Award: Young British Performer of the Year. Ronan has received the nod as a result of her acclaimed performance in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lovely Bones’ where she plays Susie Salmon, a young girl who watches her family from the afterlife following her murder. She will compete for the title with four other young actors including Katie Jarvis for ‘Fish Tank’, Aaron Johnson for ‘Nowhere Boy’ and ‘Dummy’, George MacKay for ‘The Boys Are Back’ and Bill Milner for ‘Is Anybody There?’ and ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’.

Addressing the eligibility of Irish actors in the various categories of the LFC’s Awards, a statement on the Critic’s Circle website says: “British and Irish film makers are eligible for most, if not all, of our awards. The word British in the title of some of our awards is simply to distinguish them from the general best actor/director/film awards. Irish citizens are eligible for these awards but many Irish actors and directors work on what are technically British films and their work deserves recognition. There is no intention to suggest that Irish talent is British should an Irish citizen be nominated in the "British" categories and all Irish nominees know this. It simply recognises the complex nature of film making, a collaborative affair often crossing national boundaries and anyone who wishes to raise the matter should do so with Jason Solomons, current chair of the Awards Committee.”

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 18th at the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone in London. For a full list of nominees visit criticscircle.org.uk/film/.

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