Los Angeles Irish Film
Festival
This is an Aero Theatre Exclusive!
Irish
Festival Details
In collaboration with the Irish Film Board (Bord Scannán na hÉireann),
Irelands national film agency, and Culture Ireland.
With the support of E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America) and the Irish
Film Institute.
Sponsored by Bushmills, Kerrygold, Kensington Caterers, Rosemarie McCaffrey, My Irish
Pride, Grafton on Sunset and ElaineKim.com
The Irish passion for storytelling began around the hearth of every Irish household
and now reaches a worldwide audience through the medium of film. Coupled with the
treasures of Irelands moviemaking past, LAIFF presents modern works as diverse as
they are unique, creating a cinematic barometer for the cultural climate of Ireland in
2010. Kicking off the festival is a double feature of the Los Angeles premieres MY
BROTHERS and SWANSONG: STORY OF OCCI BYRNE, both powerful coming-of-age dramas
portraying the complexities of family ties. Also in store is A SHINE OF RAINBOWS, a
delightful, family-friendly tale of a young orphans voyage to an enchanting island; CUP
CAKE, a quirky comedy about an introverted 20-something inheriting his familys
cupcake shop; and THE YELLOW BITTERN, a fascinating documentary about Irish
folk-singer Liam Clancy. Closing the festival is Jim Sheridans THE FIELD,
starring the illustrious Richard Harris as a willful, rough-edged farmer who refuses to
auction off his familys land to a wealthy American bidder.
Some programs of this festival are not at the Aero Theatre. It kicks off on September
30 at the Motion Picture Academys Linwood Dunn Theatre. There will be an industry seminar
on Friday, October 1st in the afternoon. For comprehensive information visit www.lairishfilm.com. Buy
Tickets
Friday, October 1 7:30 PM
Double Feature: West Coast Premiere! MY BROTHERS, 2010, Rubicon Films. Dir. Paul Fraser. When his
dying father's watch is accidentally broken, 17-year-old Noel and his brothers, Paudie and
Scwally "borrow" a broken-down bread van from his employer, and journey to the
seaside town of Ballybunion to find a replacement.
U.S. Premiere! SWANSONG: STORY OF OCCI BYRNE, 2009, Kinowelt Filmverleih. Dir.
Conor McDermottroe. Teased and bullied as a child because he has no father, Occi Byrne
(Martin McCann) grows up plagued by anger, confusion and pain. In the hopes of unlocking
his own identity and overcoming the past that haunts him, Occi sets out to find his father
and discover the secret of his birth. Trailer:
Each feature will be preceded by a short film:
"Days Like This," (2007, 3 min) Director
Joel Simon tells the story of a man looking back on the great day: when his father took
him to an international soccer match.
"The Line," (4 min.) Director Maria
OConnors fictional silent dark comedy drama combines animation and quirky
locations as two characters struggle on a writing journey. Discussion
between films with directors Paul Fraser and Conor McDermottroe. Buy
Tickets
Saturday, October 2 4:00 PM
L.A. Premiere: Family Matinee! A SHINE OF RAINBOWS, 2009, 101 min. Dir. Vic Sarin. Tomas, a shy
8-year-old boy, has been living a solitary life in an orphanage. Then Maire O'Donnell
comes into his world. Before he knows it, Tomas is on a boat, sailing to wind-swept Corrie
Island off the coast of Ireland, where he learns the secret of the seals and the mystery
of the stone giant and discovers that you can find magic anywhere - if you really look. Trailer: | Official Website: | Buy
Tickets
Saturday, October 2 7:30 PM
Double Feature: West Coast Premiere! CUP CAKE, 2010, Wee Buns. Dir. Colin McIvor. P.J., a
23-year-old eccentric who spends his time around robots and gadgets, inherits his family's
bakery, Cup Cake, after the strange disappearance of his parents. But PJ's out-of-touch
baking and business skills lead the shop into decline. With the help of his slightly
dysfunctional friends, P.J. tries one last time to bring the sweet shop back to its former
glory.
U.S. Premiere! THE YELLOW BITTERN, 2009, 120 min. Dir. Alan Gilsenan. A
revealing portrait of the man Bob Dylan called "the best ballad singer I'd ever
heard," THE YELLOW BITTERN chronicles the life of Liam Clancy, the youngest of the
iconic Clancy Brothers. Featuring candid interviews and never-before-seen footage, some of
it from Clancy's personal archives, Gilsenan's masterful doc is a fascinating look at the
life of one of Ireland's great musical artists. Trailer: | Official Website
Prior to the feature:
"Moore Street Masala," (2009, 5 min) Dir. David O'Sullivan. This
delightful musical short tells the story of Baba, a store clerk, and his love for the
woman across the street. Trailer
| Buy
Tickets
Sunday, October 3 5:00 PM
Double Feature: BALLYBRANDO, 2009, Hot Shot Films, 50 min. Dir. Brendan Byrne. This documentary chronicles the collapse of DIVINE RAPTURE, starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Debra Winger and John Hurt. It is also the little-known story of
Marlon Brando's brief, but heartfelt adventure in Ireland, where he said he felt
"more at home here than anywhere else in the world."
Tribute to Richard Harris! THE FIELD, 1990, Avenue Pictures Productions, 107 min. Dir.
Jim Sheridan. In one of his finest performances, Richard Harris is "Bull"
McCabe, a gruff, unforgiving man faced with losing his family's long-time land to a rich
American attempting to buy it at an auction. Trailer: Discussion following with Richard Harriss sons Jared ("Mad
Men"), Damian and Jamie and director Jim Sheridan. Between films Colin Devlin will
performs (go to www.lairishfilm.com and click on
music for information) at 7:00 PM. Free
with a ticket for the 7:30 PM screening of THE FIELD. Buy
Tickets |