Portraits of Eire

Three of Ireland’s best-loved films come to Bangkok next week in the inaugural edition of the Irish Film Festival.
Organised by the Embassy of Ireland and hosted by the Bangkok Screening Room, the festival, which runs from next Friday through October 8, features “The Quiet Man” (1952), “Ryan’s Daughter” (1970) and last year’s hit “Sing Street.”
“The Embassy is absolutely delighted to present the first Irish Film Festival in Bangkok. Filmmaking in Ireland has a rich tradition and the films being showcased are great examples of this tradition. I invite all Thais to come and see these films to get a flavour of Irish culture, landscape and humour," Irish ambassador Brendan Rogers says.
“This event marks another wonderful, positive milestone in Irish-Thai relations. Since the Irish Embassy opened almost three years ago relations between Thailand and Ireland have been going from strength to strength and I look forward to welcoming local Thais to our inaugural Film Festival.”
Directed by the late David Lean, who is also known for “Bridge on the River Kwai” and “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Ryan’s Daughter”, takes place in the political turmoil of Ireland in 1916. While the British battle European aggressors in World War I, the Irish Republican Army makes a secret deal with the Germans for a cache of weapons to battle British rule. Against this backdrop, Charles (Robert Mitchum) meets Rosy (Sarah Miles) on a return trip to Dublin. They fall in love and marry, but Rosy has an illicit affair with British officer Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones). Tim O’Leary (Barry Foster) is the IRA gun runner waiting for a shipment of German rifles to arrive by sea on the West coast of Ireland. When evidence of the affair is paraded in the streets to discredit the unfaithful Rosy, Charles ignores the indignant neighbours but tells the British authorities of the impending gun shipment in an effort to halt reprisals from the occupied forces. It’s being screened at 5.50pm on October 7.

“The Quiet Man” is directed by John Ford and stars John Wayne as a retired Irish-American boxer who returns home where he finds love. The film won the Academy Award for Best Director for John Ford and for Best Cinematography.
There are two opportunities to catch the film: 9pm on October 6 and at 4.20pm on October 8.
“Sing Street”, which shows at 9.30pm on October 7 and 6.50pm on October 8, is set in 1980’s Dublin and is told through the eyes of 14-year-old Conor (Ferdia WalshPeelo), who tries to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He meets beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. There’s only one problem: he’s not part of a band...yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised. Calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos.

Tickets are Bt120 for adults and Bt90 for children, students, and BKKSR members. They can be booked at bkksr.com/irishfilmfestival

All movies will be screened in English with Thai subtitles

Find out more at www.Dfat.ie/Thailand or Bkksr.com/irishfilmfestival.