Wide Choice of Irish Films Released in 2014 Now Available to View on Netflix
Calvary, Frank, Gold and The Stag, amongst the most acclaimed films released last year which were funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, are now available to view on Netflix.
These join other IFB-funded titles available on the platform including Grabbers starring Ruth Bradley, Life’s a Breeze with Pat Shortt, Stitches starring Ross Noble, Citadel directed by Ciaran Foy, and documentaries Anton Corbijn Inside Out, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, Men at Lunch and Dreams of a Life.
About ‘Calvary’
Calvary is writer/director John Michael McDonagh’s follow-up to The Guard and is his second feature film. The film stars Brendan Gleeson as Father James, a good-natured priest who, after being threatened during confession, must battle the dark forces closing in around him. Gleeson is joined by an ensemble cast including Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, M. Emmet Walsh, Domhnall Gleeson, Pat Shortt and David McSavage.
“Calvary is gripping, moving, funny and troubling, down to an uncompromising yet uncynical finish.” – Kim Newman, Empire, ★★★★★
About ‘Frank’
Frank was widely acclaimed following its debut at last year’s Sundance festival. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (What Richard Did, Adam & Paul), Frank follows a wannabe musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew when he joins a band of eccentric pop performers led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender) and his terrifying sidekick, Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
“A weird and wonderful musical comedy. . . . Helmer Lenny Abrahamson (Garage, Adam & Paul) puts the pic's eccentricity to good use, luring in sceptics with jokey surrealism and delivering them to a profoundly moving place.” – Peter Debruge, Variety
About ‘Gold’
Gold was released in Irish cinemas in October 2014 and was directed by Niall Heery (Small Engine Repair). David Wilmot (The Guard) stars as Ray, who left town twelve years previously after his childhood sweetheart, Alice (Kerry Condon, Rome), dumped him, taking their daughter (Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones) away from him. Now he must return home at the request of his ailing father, who wishes to see his granddaughter before it's too late. But things take a turn for the absurd when Ray realises his daughter and her mother have built a new life with his former P.E. teacher (James Nesbitt, The Hobbit), a controlling and regimented figure who is the direct opposite of Ray.
“The sort of picture you want to hug indulgently to a welcoming bosom. It gives humanism a good name.” – Donald Clarke, The Irish Times, ★★★★
About ‘The Stag’
The Stag was directed by John Butler and stars Andrew Scott, Hugh O’Connor, Peter McDonald, Brian Gleeson and Amy Huberman. The Stag tells the story of a very modern Irish groom-to-be who reluctantly agrees to a stag weekend with his urbane friends camping in the west of Ireland. Much to their dismay they are joined by the brother of the bride, a crazy unpredictable alpha male who adds an explosive edition to the proceedings.
“One of those films where you’re literally laughing every minute... who can do humour better than the Irish?” – Michael Moore, Academy Award®-winning director of Bowling for Columbine