As with every Christmas season, many families will be spending much of the upcoming holidays totally relaxing and tuning in to watch some televised movies, old and new, while wrapped up in their comfy onesies. As with every year, a vast number of international film premieres have been promised across all channels. However, IFTN has taken this opportunity to take a look at some of our own Irish films shown that will be showing on TV this season. We hope you will tune in and enjoy!
The Secret of Kells (2009) will be showing at 11:45am on Christmas Day on TG4. The feature directorial debut of Tomm Moore (who also directed this year’s Song of the Sea), this animated film from Cartoon Saloon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2010. A spirited retelling of the origin of Ireland’s most cherished artefact, the Book of Kells, this family film features the voices of Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally and will be shown ‘as Gaeilge’ for this unique broadcast.
Our only short in the mix, Irish Folk Furniture (2012) will be showing at 12:30pm on Christmas Day, RTÉ One. ‘Irish Folk Furniture’ is a charming animated tale that brings new life to the culture and social history of Irish farmhouse furniture. Directed by Tony Donoghue, this short won for best short animation at Sundance among other awards.
In America (2002) showing on Christmas Day at 2:40am on 3e. Jim Sheridan’s critically acclaimed and multiple Oscar-nominated drama that he co-wrote with his daughters Naomi and Kristen. Starring Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou (who were both subsequently nominated for Oscars), the film is a semi-autobiographical tale of an immigrant Irish family's struggle to start a new life in New York City, as seen through the eyes of the elder daughter.
Into the West (1992) – 7:00pm on Christmas Day, 3e; 2:00pm on December 26, 3e – Directed by Tom Newell and written by Jim Sheridan, Into the West follows two young boys and their father, played by Gabriel Byrne, as they discover that there is far more to their white horse Tir Na Nog than meets the eye.
An Bronntanas (2014) –will be showing on TG4 at 9.05pm on St Stephen’s Day. The film version of the hit TG4 series that was selected as Ireland’s submission for the 2015 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Starring Dara Devaney and Owen McDonnell and directed by Tom Collins, the film tells the story of two brothers who find a million euro worth of drugs and a dead woman on a boat and face a dilemma – keep and sell the drugs for the good of their town or let their family factory go under with the loss of much needed jobs.
Inside I’m Dancing (2005) – 9:30pm on December 27, TG4. Starring James McAvoy and Steven Robertson. Michael is a twenty four year long-term resident of Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to a whole new world outside of Carrigmore.
The Snapper (1993) – 9:00pm on December 28, TV3 – Acclaimed and widely quoted Irish comedy based on Roddy Doyle’s book of the same name, The Snapper stars Tina Kellegher, Colm Meaney and Brendan Gleeson. Soon after a wild night at the pub, twenty-year-old Sharon Curley (Tina Kellegher) finds herself expecting a little "snapper" by a man she loathes. Her refusal to name the father sets in motion a family drama involving her three brothers, two sisters, and her parents, along with her employers and all her friends.
Falling for a Dancer (1998) – 9:00pm on December 29, TV3. Starring Elisabeth Dermot Walsh, Dermot Crowley, Liam Cunningham and Colin Farrell. Set in 1960`s Cork, nineteen-year-old well to do, Elizabeth, has a brief fling with a young actor and dancer and becomes pregnant. With no chance of finding the father,and trying to avoid entering the Magdalene Laundries she chooses to marry an older man who she first meets on her wedding day and moves to her new life in West Cork.
Becoming Jane (2007) – 1:20pm on December 31, BBC2. Filmed on location in Ireland and starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters and James Cromwell. Becoming Jane is inspired by the true events of the little known romance of the young Jane Austen when she falls in love with the attractive young Irishman Tom Lefroy.
War of the Buttons (1994) – 5:05pm on New Year’s Day, TV3 - In 1960s southern Ireland, more precisely the centre of the bridge over the river that separates the Irish villages of Carrickdowse and Ballydowse, is a white line that few young people dare cross. The boys of each village spend most of their time trying to upstage the other. This War of the Buttons has gone on as long as the youths can remember, and "to the death", though rarely does either group hurt more than its pride. Colm Meaney stars.
