Ian Fitzgibbon’s feature, written by Kevin Barry and based on characters he created for his own short story collection, Dark Lies the Island follows the characters in a long-standing family feud in a small Irish town over the course of a week.
Michael Garland of Grand Pictures’ produced, Cathal Watters (Viva) is DOP; Leonie Prendergast is Costume Designer, and Jeffrey Sheriff is Production Designer.
The ensemble cast includes Peter Coonan (Penance), Moe Dunford (Handsome Devil), Charlie Murphy (Philomena), Pat Shortt (Garage), Tommy Tiernan (Derry Girls) and newcomer Jana Mohieden.
Producer Michael Garland said:
“It’s been a pleasure to produce Kevin’s debut feature as a screenwriter. He brings a new language, vivacity, and tone to the realm of the small-town Irish drama. He is without doubt contemporary Irish literature’s “Neo-Flann” and one of the most accomplished and unique current international literary voices.”
Director Ian FitzGibbon said:
“Kevin gifted to us a dark and wickedly funny script which our superb cast relished. The drama is centred on one particular family, the Mannions, and ripples with family strife and the psychology of fear.”
Independent is handling international sales.