SEE ALL OUR BEST OF 2015 ARTICLES
Rating films and compiling lists is always a contentious business where you will astound, annoy and perhaps hurt people. It becomes even trickier when it’s solely Irish films, seeing as the population of the country is somewhere around fourteen people so someone is bound to knock you off next year’s Christmas Cards List. So here are our ten favourite Irish films that came out in the year of our Lord 2015.
1) Song of The Sea
With it gaining five stars from myself and either four and a half from Nigel (or 4 on letterboxd) there was no question that Song of the Sea had to be our Irish film of year.
Beautiful animation matched with a fantastic story rooted in old tales of Irish folklore make for a delightful viewing experience for all the family.
2) The Queen of Ireland / Older Than Ireland
This really was the year of Panti Bliss and when Ireland said yes to equal marriage rights for all. It’s great to have the fantastic documentary by Conor Horgan, not only as a exploration of the marvellous Panti but as a chronicle of this pivotal moment in Irish History.
Great also that we have the latest tremendous documentary from Alex Fegan who captures so brilliantly the Irish character and spirit of the country. Following on from The Irish Pub he interviews a whole myriad of Irish citizens over the age of 100.
There will be much questions next year with the 1916 centenary celebrations about what it is to be Irish and state of the nation type debates. Watching these two great works is a fantastic place to start.
Read the Queen of Ireland review // Read the Older than Ireland review
4) The Lobster
I’ve hated Yorgos Lanthimos previous outings, Alps and Dogtooth so was more than presently surprised when I sat down to experience The Lobster.
A fantastic premise where single people are not allowed exist and if they do not find a partner within a specified time they will be turned into an animal of the choosing. Deadpan doesn’t come close enough to the humour contained within, and yet it manages to conjure up a great sense of unease and foreboding.
5) The Canal
Ivan Kavanagh’s tale of horror ticks all the boxes for fans of the genre and packs a punch even for the most hardened viewer.
6) Get Up And Go
Brendan Grant does a super job of directing Peter Coonan and Killian Scott playing two man boys adrift in that horrible limbo of youth and responsibility.
7) Traders
Another entry for Killian Scott with Traders, a black comedy about how to cope with the recession and losing your job. Calling to memory Shallow Grave and Sightseers, it’s a great outing from directing duo Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy.
8) Let Us Prey
Liam Cunningham does the business as the man with no name in Brian O’Malley’s Let Us Prey which provided some of the most memorable scenes in cinema this year.
9) You’re Ugly Too
A sweet and heartfelt film in which Aidan Gillen shines.
10) Brooklyn
#oscarbuzz
The post Best of 2015: Irish Films appeared first on Spooool.ie.