Festival fever hits the big screen
The scene is set for this year’s IndieCork with an array of international films set to capture Cork’s imagination.
Organisers say that this year’s festival is the biggest yet, with several key international films making their world premiere at the Cork city festival this year.
Some of the highlights of the festival include the world premier of ‘Lift’, which is the inspiring story of Karen Barry, a Cork woman, dental receptionist and mum-of-three. Several years ago and feeling unhealthy she decided to get fit. She tried jogging but found it boring so then she tried spin classes but they weren’t for her. Then one day she spotted the weights in the corner of the gym. In powerlifting, Karen had found her sport and she went on to break Irish records.
‘Splitting The Sop’ documents the rich history of the indigenous sport of Irish road bowling, its development over the years and its significance in Irish culture and heritage.
The opening night film is, ‘A Bump Along the Way’ which stars, Bronagh Gallaher of ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Commitments’ fame. Directed by Shelly Love, ‘A Bump Along the Way’ was filmed entirely on location in Derry. It tells the story of fun-loving, 44 year old single mum Pamela who becomes pregnant following a boozy one night-stand, much to the shame of her buttoned-up teenage daughter Allegra. As Pamela deals with the prospect of becoming a mum for the second time and the growing pains of the disgruntled Allegra, the challenges they face along the way bring mother and daughter to a better understanding of themselves and each other.
The closing night film is a new Irish film called ‘Dark Lies the Island’, written by author Kevin Barry, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, and starring Pat Shortt, Tommy Tiernan and Moe Dunford, Charlie Murphy and Peter Coonanhas.
Festival Co-Director, Mick Hannigan said: “We are delighted to be celebrating seven years of the festival this year and we are even more delighted to be presenting our strongest programme yet. The festival is book-ended by two strong Irish comedies and in between we have films from the Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Rotterdam, Toronto, and Venice festivals among others. We are also honoured to screen three Irish world premieres - one fiction and two documentary features and numerous international premieres.
“A founding purpose of IndieCork is to serve as a platform for emerging filmmakers - we look forward to welcoming them all to IndieCork,” he said.
The festival will run from 6-13 October across Cork and tickets are on sale at corkcinemas.com and eventbrite.com.