Contemporary Irish Films in English at Cinema La Compagnia

 

Irish cinema is coming to Florence through a unique event dedicated to contemporary Irish films, during which two movies, North Circular, and Lies We Tell, will be presented at Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r) on Wednesday, December 11. The screenings in English (with Italian subtitles) are a part of N.I.C.E. X IRISH FILM FESTA collaboration.

The program begins at 7 pm with a showing of North Circular, featuring a talk with the director and producer, Luke McManus, who will share his inspirations and the stories behind the making of the movie. The documentary is an exploration of Dublin’s North Circular Road, from Phoenix Park to Dublin Port, delving into its music and history. Some of the narratives are disheartening, addressing issues such as mental health and imprisonment. Presented in black-and-white imagery, the film allows viewers to become fully immersed in the actual atmosphere.

Then the evening continues at 9 pm with a movie directed by Lisa Mulcahy, titled Lies We Tell, based on the gothic novel, Uncle Silas by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Set in 1864, it tells the story of a young orphaned girl with a considerable inheritance. She lives in an isolated castle, where her estranged uncle wishes to take residence. As her guardian, he schemes to marry her off to his son, which would allow him to gain control of her fortune, but she is cleverer than he thinks.

The mini-festival is organized by N.I.C.E. (New Italian Cinema Events), a non-profit cultural association, that aims to promote Italian cinema abroad through festivals and cultural exchanges. For the three last years, it has been bringing films from Italy to Ireland. This time, organizers have decided it is time to present Italian audiences with contemporary Irish cinematography. (Paulina Juzak)