The ultimate Irish pub crawl, a boxing legend at the height of his career, a madcap chase for missing millions, an Irish bird who’s afraid of flying and personal reconciliation are among the themes at this year’s Toronto Irish Film Festival (TIRFF). Starting tonight, Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2 at TIFF Bell Lightbox, TIRFF 2014 promises a weekend of cinematic good times with North American and Canadian Premieres, a classic Irish pub-night and some special guests from Ireland.
OPENING NIGHT GALA – THE IRISH PUB
Director: Alex Fegan in attendance/Q & A following screening
Friday, February 28, 2014, 7:00pm
This feature documentary is a eulogy to the greatest institution in Irish society, and the legendary Irish publicans who run them. An ode to the traditional Irish pub in all its glory: solid wood, stone floors, no
music, little TV, knick-knacks and yellowed ceilings, Fegan’s camera slips from pub to pub meeting
interesting and quirky publicans and patrons each step along the way.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY: Dora Keogh’s, 141 Danforth Avenue, 9:30pm
Present your TIRFF ticket stub from ‘The Irish Pub’ to meet director Alex Fegan enjoy the celebration!
TIRFF 2014 IRISH SHORTS PROGRAM
Saturday, March 1, 2014, 5:00pm
Canadian Premiere
Fear of Flying- director Conor Finnegan
This is an animated short about a small bird with a fear of flying trying to avoid heading south for the winter.
The End of the Counter – director Laura McGann
This short recalls the moment in 1965 when grocery shopping in Ireland changed forever with the birth of the supermarket.
Two Wheels Good – director Barry Gene Murphy
This short follows four seasoned veterans of the Irish open road celebrating a lifetime in the saddle.
The Tree – director David Freyne
Set in post-Apocalyptic Ireland, two strangers meet in a silent fight for survival.
Breakfast Wine – director Ian Fitzgibbon
This is a dark comeday, wehre two alcoholics have their daily routine disrupted by a beautiful stranger.
WHEN ALI CAME TO IRELAND
Director: Ross Whitaker, Aideen O’Sullivan
Saturday, March 1, 2014, 7:00pm
This is the story of how, in July 1972 an historic boxing match in Croke Park between Muhammad Ali and Alvin ‘Blue’ Lewis brought the nation to a standstill. Ross Whitaker’s film, produced during the 40th anniversary of the fight, combines a wealth of archival material with colourful reminiscences of people who came into contact with Ali during his time in Ireland.
MADE IN BELFAST
Director: Paul Kennedy
Saturday, March 1, 2014, 9:00pm
Shot in thirteen days on a micro budget, Made In Belfast, Paul Kennedy’s directorial debut proves that
money is no substitute for a great story. Jack Kelly (Ciaran McMenamin) is a successful novelist who leads a
reclusive life in his apartment in Paris. But when circumstances conspire to bring him back to his hometown
for a few days, he resolves to put things right with the friends he betrayed, the brother he abandoned and
the fiancée he jilted.
MOONE BOY – Season II Canadian Launch
Creator & co-writer: Chris O’Dowd
Sunday, March 2, 2014, 5:00pm
Back in 2012, Chris O’Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy charmed Sky 1 and BITE TV (in Canada) audiences with their semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy set in the small Irish town of Boyle in 1989. Following the adventures of 12-year-old Martin Moone (David Rawle), the series celebrated family life as Martin set about growing up amid his chaotic clan, ably assisted by imaginary friend Sean Murphy (O’Dowd), who was always on hand with some not-so-wise words of advice.
LIFE’S A BREEZE
Director: Lance Daly
Sunday, March 2, 2014, 7:00pm
A feel good “recession comedy”, starring Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Shortt and Kelly Thornton. Inspired by a real life Israeli human interest story, the film follows three generations of a Dublin family struggling to stay afloat and stay together through hard times in Ireland. Chaos ensues when Nan reveals that she’d stashed her life savings of 1 million euros in her old mattress which the kids took to the dump. A madcap race to all of Dublin’s landfills follows and soon the family are joined by the whole country on their search to find Nan’s treasure.
With a varied lineup such as this, a weekend at the movies sounds just about right. You can find more information on TIRFF at torontoirishfilmfest.com. Oh… and don’t forget to drop by the pub for a pint!
