Thirty Essential Irish Films That Every Movie Enthusiast Should Watch
The Golden Age of Irish Cinema is rumblin' and brewin', bra! In the early 80s, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board was established, kick-startin' the growth of our silver screen wonders. By the 90s, the Irish Film and Television Awards were poppin' up like mushies after a rainstorm.
The Emerald Isle ain't just known for its Guinness and leprechauns; these films give a peak into the heart and soul of Ireland. While we may not churn out as many flicks as other cinema powerhouses, we deliver history, humor, and plenty of craic with the best of 'em.
Here are the top picks for Irish films that'll knock your socks off and give ya a taste of the Irish spirit:
30*. The Crying Game* (1992)
Neil Jordan's The Crying Game is a divvy film. While it's caused a stir in the LGBTQ+ community and film scholars, it's still generally considered a classic Irish flick and even made the Irish Times' list of the 50 Best Irish Films Ever Made.
The film follows a member of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) who promises to take care of a British soldier's lover. SPOILER WARNING: during the film, the lover, Dil, is revealed to be transgender in a scene that's been hotly debated. Other critics have praised the film for its exploration of gender, race, nationality, and sexuality against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The film stars Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Jaye Davidson, Adrian Dunbar, Ralph Brown, and Forest Whitaker.
You can find it here.
29. Frank (2014)
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, Frank is one of the weirdest films on this list. Frank follows a musician who joins a band led by a man who wears a papier-mâché fake head. You know what? This movie ain't for everyone, but it's strangely mesmerizing and impossible to look away from.
The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, Michael Fassbender, François Civil, and Carla Azar. Frank won three Irish Film and Television Awards and two British Independent Film Awards. You can check it out here.
That's it for now, mate! Stay tuned for more Irish cinema gems, and I'll be here to share the craic with you!
Note: please ensure to research more about the mentioned films before streaming them, as some titles may not be widely available online.
In the realm of Irish cinema, 'The Crying Game' (1992), directed by Neil Jordan, stands out as a film that showcases the country's talent in tackling complex societal issues, especially touching upon gender, race, nationality, and sexuality, earning it a spot on the Irish Times' list of the 50 Best Irish Films Ever Made.
More recently, 'Frank' (2014), directed by Lenny Abrahamson, has pressure mounted upon it due to its unique and eccentric portrayal of the music industry, receiving three Irish Film and Television Awards and two British Independent Film Awards, suggesting it's a film to especially watch in 2024.
