Chicago International Film Festival features 4 Irish Films
News
23 September 2022
92 feature films and 52 shorts are screening at this year's festival
Chicago International Film Festival - Cinema Chicago (chicagofilmfestival.com)
See above link for full details of Chicago's premier celebration of film from October 12 - 23, 2022. Below is a synopsis of the Irish movies featured:
Pray For Our Sinners - Cinema Chicago (chicagofilmfestival.com)
In this arresting mixture of personal storytelling and political exposé, filmmaker Sinead O’Shea returns to her small Irish hometown to scrutinize the recent history of the Catholic Church’s pervasive abuse and neglect—and shine a light on the very few who managed to fight back. Delving into the institution of “mother and baby homes”—where unwed women were sent to give birth, many of whom died—and the widespread practice of corporal punishment in schools, O’Shea paints a staggering portrait of Irish life, which caused irreparable harm to women and children into the early 1990s. Elegantly mixing archival footage with heartbreaking interviews, the film also offers uplifting profiles in courage of unsung activists who worked to mitigate the damage and affect change. At a time when women’s rights are under assault around the world, Pray For Our Sinners is an at once sobering and empowering story about oppression and resistance.
The Banshees of Inisherin - Cinema Chicago (chicagofilmfestival.com)
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, The Banshees of Inisherin follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavors to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences. From the acclaimed writer-director of In Bruge and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The Wonder - Cinema Chicago (chicagofilmfestival.com)
The Irish Midlands, 1862—a young girl stops eating but remains miraculously alive and well. English nurse Lib Wright (Florence Pugh, in a riveting performance) is brought to a tiny village to observe 11-year old Anna O’Donnell. Pilgrims gather to witness the girl who is said to have survived without food for months. Is the village harboring a saint, surviving through divine intervention, or are there more ominous motives at work? As Anna’s health rapidly deteriorates, the science-minded Lib is determined to unearth the truth, challenging the faith of the entire community. A psychological thriller inspired by the 19th-century phenomenon of the “fasting girls” and adapted from the acclaimed novel by Emma Donoghue, The Wonder is an innovative and haunting drama from the director of Gloria and A Fantastic Woman about feminine fortitude and the power of belief.
My Sailor, My Love - Cinema Chicago (chicagofilmfestival.com)
Concerned for the welfare of her irascible father (James Cosmo), a retired sea captain, harried nurse Grace (Catherine Walker) hires local widow Annie (Brid Brennan) as his housekeeper. When the pair embark on an unexpected romance, Grace is forced to face the feelings of resentment and hostility she’s harbored since childhood. As old wounds and closely guarded secrets come to light, the future of Howard and Annie’s budding relationship is threatened. Can the love between them flourish amid Grace’s accusations of betrayal? Acclaimed Finnish filmmaker Klaus Härö (Letters to Father Jacob, The Fencer) makes his English-language debut with a sensitively observed, beautifully crafted drama about wrestling with the weight of family obligation and finding love in the twilight of life.
