We all love sitting back and watching a good film, but we especially love when when that good film is Irish made!
Plenty of Irish films are set for a 2016 release, and whether they’re directed by an Irish person or feature an Irish actor or actress, they all look pretty amazing.
We all love a good drama here at Goss HQ, so we’ve compiled a list of the TOP FIVE Irish movies you NEED to see in 2016.
Check out our list below:
1. Room
Room is a Canadian-Irish drama directed by Irish director Lenny Abrahamson, and written by Emma Donoghue whose novel inspired the film’s theme.
The film stars Brie Larson, Joan Allen and William H. Macy, and is based on the story of a woman (Brie Larson) and her five-year-old son who are held captive for years in an enclosed space and finally gain their freedom, allowing the boy to experience the outside world for the first time.
The Irish film has already received critical acclaim with many awards and nominations, including Golden Globe Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, Independent Spirit Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations.
The drama-thriller is set for release in Irish cinemas on January 15, so get booking those tickets!
2. The Secret Scripture
The Secret Scripture, which was directed by Jim Sheridan and filmed in Ireland (pictured above) is set to be one of the biggest films of 2016.
The drama, which is currently in post-production, will be the film adaptation of Sebastian Barry’s 2008 novel, which will tell the story of a woman who keeps a diary of her extended stay at a mental hospital.
The film features a star-studded cast including Rooney Mara, Jack Reynor, Eric Bana, Vanessa Redgrave, Jeremy Irons and British heartthrob Theo James.
The story will be told by Roseanne (Rooney Mara), who is uncertain of her age and recounts her experiences in asylums in Ireland over 60 years.
Jack Reynor was cast as the love interest of Rooney’s character Roseanne, while Eric Bana will play a rebellious doctor responsible for reviewing Roseanne’s case, and Theo James will play the local Catholic priest.
Unfortunately a release date hasn’t been announced just yet, but we should expect to see it in late 2016 – we can’t wait!
3. Brain on Fire
Brain on Fire, which was directed by Irish filmmaker Gerard Barrett, is based on the award-winning and bestselling memoir of Susannah Cahalan who wrote a powerful account of her struggle to recapture her identity.
The film’s synopsis describes the film’s plot as “A look at a young woman’s rapid descent into insanity”, and is set to star Hollywood actress Chloe Grace Moretz as the film’s protagonist alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, Richard Armitage, Thomas Mann and Tyler Perry.
The film is currently in post-production and is yet to announce a release date, but we can expect to see this hit our screens at some stage this year.
4. Sing Street
Sing Street, which was directed by John Carney (director of Oscar-winning Once), is another much-anticipated Irish film for 2016.
The film will star Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Jack Reynor and is set to open the 2016 Audi Dublin International Film Festival on February 18.
The film’s story is based on a boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s who escapes his strained family life by starting a band and moving to London.
We can expect to see this musical-drama when Lionsgate UK release the film in cinemas across Ireland on March 18.
5. Unless
Unless, which was directed by Alan Gilsenan, is set to be yet another film adaptation of a novel, and this time it’s based on Canadian novelist Carol Shields’ final book.
The film will tell the story of a writer who struggles with her daughter’s decision to drop out of college and live on the streets.
The drama will star Oscar nominee Catherine Keener as the film’s protagonist, alongside Hannah Gross as her daughter.
Once again, no release date has been announced for this Canadian-Irish production, but we can expect to see Unless some time this year.
