Irish film ‘Brooklyn’ - starring Saoirse Ronan (‘Atonement’, ‘Byzantium’) and Domhnall Gleeson (‘Frank’, ‘Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens’)– will have its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival next month.
As IFTN reported last week ‘Brooklyn’ will join four previously announced films and co-productions at the festival including ‘Glassland’, ‘The Hallow’, ‘Strangerland’ and ‘The Visit’.
Directed by IFTA and BAFTA- winning director John Crowley (‘Intermission’, ‘Boy A’) and adapted from Colm Tóibin’s novel of the same name, ‘Brooklyn’ was produced by Wildgaze Films, Finola Dwyer Productions, Parallel Films and Item 7 – and was co-financed by the Irish Film Board.
Commenting on the news James Hickey, IFB Chief Executive said: ‘Having five Irish projects at Sundance is a major achievement for the Irish film industry, which will be represented in a wide selection of categories of the festival, from international competition, to documentary, genre and major premieres. All five projects were produced with support from the Irish Film Board. We hope to achieve a large number of international sales for these films, ensuring they travel across the globe showcasing Irish talent and Irish stories to international audiences next year. Congratulations to all the teams involved.’
Alongside Ronan and Gleeson, the film stars Emory Cohen (‘The Place Beyond the Pines’) and veteran actors Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.
Ronan will play Eilis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant in 1950’s New York whose blossoming relationship with an Italian plumber Tony (Emory Cohen),is threatened when tragedy calls her home once more. Eilis decides returns to Ireland where her attraction for a charming local man called Jim (Domhnall Gleeson), grows.
Producers on the film are Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey for Wildgaze ('Quartet', 'An Education'); and Alan Moloney for Parallel Films ('Albert Nobbs', 'Breakfast on Pluto', 'Intermission'), based on a screenplay adapted by Nick Hornby (Oscar nominated screenwriter for ‘An Education’).
Alan Moloney of Parallel Films said: '‘I’m thrilled that 'Brooklyn' has been selected for Sundance this year, and it’s great news for everyone involved in the production. Having worked with Saoirse Ronan and John Crowley in the past, it is fantastic to see their success continue. It’s also great to see film supported by the Irish Film Board reaching international audiences.’
Represented by HanWay Films for international sales, last year ‘Brooklyn’ signed deals with Lionsgate UK for distribution in the UK & Ireland and Transmission for distribution rights in Australia & New Zealand. The film was shot in Canada, Dublin and Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
Saoirse Ronan will also feature in another premiere at Sundance as ‘Stockholm, Pennsylvania’ - where she plays a teenage abductee re-united with her parents after 17 years - will be one of 16 films screening in the US Dramatic Competition category.
The 2015 Sundance Film Festival will take place from January 22nd to February 1st 2015 in Park City, Utah.
