‘Scannán 2023’ - A Focus On The Phenomenal Success of Irish Language Films in Global Cinema

Following the huge success of the ICC’s film season ‘Scannán 2022,, we are delighted to present a second season of films in the Irish Language - ‘Scannán 2023 will include screenings of the feature films Rosie & Frank, ‘Cre na Cille’ and ‘Foscadh. Before each of these features, there will be screenings of an Irish Language short film and following each of the screenings there will be ‘Directors Cuts’ & Q&A’s

Saturday June 17th  7.00pm

Rósie & Frank (+Q&A + Short Film ‘Cuinas’)

Writers - Directors: Racheal Moriarty & Peter Murphy

Length 90 mins, Ireland, 2022, Subtitled. F-Rated

ICC is delighted to open this year’s ‘Scannán season with Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy’s Irish language film, which is full of the joy of life and Irish community spirit. Rósie & Frank has been a huge hit on the film festival circuit, winning numerous awards including ‘The Audience Awards’ at both the Sant Barbara and Sonoma Film Festivals.  Following the film there will be a live Q&A with half one of the writer/directors team, Rachael Moriarty.

The acclaimed Irish actress Bríd Ní Neachtain (‘The Banshees of Inisherin’), stars as the recently widowed Róise, who believes that a stray dog embodies the spirit of her late husband Frank. Isolated since his death two years ago, the appearance of the dog shakes her out of herself. Ignoring her son’s and others’ protests, a rejuvenated Róise goes all out to indulge the dog’s love of hurling, steak, and a favourite chair, while starting to believe in reincarnation. This is a warm-hearted, witty and uplifting tale of finding hope in the darkest of places.  

Followed by Q&A with Writer Director Rachael Moriarty  

Rosie & Frank will be preceded by a screening of the Irish Language Short Film

‘Ciúnas’ (Silence)

Written, Directed, Produced by Tristan Heanue

Length 12mins: Ireland. 2019. Subtitled

 In this beautiful short film, set in rural Ireland, a couple collect their teenage daughter from hospital, but on the journey home no one seems to want to talk about her reasons for being there.  

 Directed by the award-winning filmmaker and actor from Connemara Tristan Heanue, , ‘Ciúnas’ has won over 15 awards including the 'Grand Prix Irish Short', the Irish Screen America ‘Rising Star’ and an IFTA nomination for Best Short Film.  Tristan’s other award winning short films include “Today” “A Break In The Clouds’ and ‘Harvest’. He is currently working on his debut full length feature film.

Sunday June 18th 2pm

Foscadh  (+ Q&A + Short Film ‘Rubai’)

Writer – Director: Seán Breathnach: Producer Paddy Hayes.

Length 93 mins, Ireland, 2021. Subtitled

Followed by a Q&A with Director Seán Breathnach.

Set in the bleak and beautiful wilds of Connemara, Foscadh (Shelter) tells the story of an unworldly recluse, 28-year-old John Cunliffe who is suddenly propelled into manhood when his over-protective parents pass away. When he inherits an important stretch of land and a decent-sized house he attracts the attentions of a ruthless local property developer and a beer-swilling layabout who takes up residence on the sofa. His greatest challenge comes when he must navigate the choppy waters of romance when his new-found wealth sparks the interest of an attractive young nurse, Siobhán (Fionnuala Flaherty). 

Seán Breathnach’s feature debut, adapted from Donal Ryan’s novel The Thing About December, is a timely meditation on land, on masculinity and vulnerability and on the crippling emotional illiteracy that can result from rural isolation. It is served well by a subtle and complex central performance from Dónall O Héalai (Arracht).

Foscadh was Ireland’s Official Entry as the 2022 Best International Feature for an Oscar at the American Academy Awards, cementing Seán Breathnach’s position as one of Ireland’s most exciting film directors. 

 The Screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Director Paddy Breathnach

Preceded by the Award-Winning Irish Language Short Film

“Rúbai”  

Directed by Louise Ni Fhiannachta. Producer Paddy Hayes. 

Length 11mins Ireland 2013

In this beautiful short film, as her classmates prepare for their First Holy Communion, Rúbai announces that she is an atheist and refuses to participate.

Sunday June 18th 7.30pm

“Cre Na Cille’ (+ Q&A + Short Film )

Director: Robert Quinn.

Ireland 2006 Colour 94mins. Subtitled

Followed by a Talk &  Open-Floor Discussion led by Actor, Writer & 

The ICC’s Irish Language Tutor - Padraig O’Loingsigh.

 This film adaptation of the celebrated Irish-language novel ‘Cre na Cille’ (Graveyard Clay), was produced to commemorate the centenary of the birth of it’s author, Mairtin O Cadhain. Directed by the acclaimed director Robert Quinn, this film is set in a Connemara cemetery and is a darkly humorous tale about two sisters whose intense hatred for each other worsens with age and continues into the afterlife. The main character is the deceased Caitriona, who is eagerly awaiting the death of her sister Neil so that the pair can continue their long running battle on the other side. 

The book ‘Cre na Cille’ by Mairtin O Cadhain, published in 1949 is considered a masterpiece of the 20th Century and one of the greatest novels written in the Irish Language.  Mairtin O Cadhain has drawn comparisons to the work of Flann O’Brien, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce. This will be rare chance to see this unique film on the ICC’s big screen.

This film screening will be preceded by the Irish Language Short Film

“Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom”-  Written and Directed by Daniel O’Hara.

Length 13mins. Ireland. 2011