Arracht
Arracht ([ˈaɾˠəxt̪ˠ], "Monster") is a 2019 Irish period drama film directed and written by Tomás Ó Súilleabháin set during the Great Famine of Ireland.[1]
| Arracht | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tom Sullivan |
| Produced by | Cúán Mac Conghail |
| Screenplay by | Tom Sullivan |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Kíla |
| Cinematography | Kate McCullough |
| Edited by | Mary Crumlish |
Production companies | Macalla Teoranta |
| Distributed by | Break Out Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Language | Irish |
Plot
On the wild shores of Connemara in 1845, Colmán Sharkey, a fisherman, farmer and father watches as the Great Hunger of the famine descends on his community. One faithful night he confronts his landlord about raising the cost of rent for his tenants as potato blight causes crop to fail. The events of that night end in violence forces to go on the run for a crime he didn't commit against the backdrop of starvation of the people in his community. As the years pass in solitude, Colmán loses hope in living anymore but events turn as he returns to the mainland and encounters a young girl, Kitty and a life-saving friendship develops.
Cast
- Dónall Ó Héalaí as Colmán Sharkey
- Saise Ní Chuinn as Kitty
- Dara Devaney as Patsy
- Eoin O'Dubhghaill as Seán
- Dudura O'Gionnáin as Dónal
- Michael O'Chonfhlaola as P.J.
- Siobhán O'Kelly as Áine
- Eimear Ní Mháille as Mary
- Seán T. Ó Meallaigh as Séamus
- Conal O'Céidigh as Dan
- Michael McElhatton as a Lieutenant
- Elaine O'Dwyer as Margaret
- Elise Brennan as Kate
- Pádraic Breathnach as Fr. Joachin
- Peter Coonan as Bailey
- Diarmuid de Faoite as Joe Pat
- Michelle Beamish as Bríd
Production
Location filming took place in Lettermullan, County Galway. It was financially backed by Screen Ireland, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and TG4.[2]
Release
Arracht received its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia on 29 November 2019.[3]
The Irish premiere was at the Dublin International Film Festival on 28 February 2020.[4] The film was supposed to receive its general release on 3 April 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of all cinemas.[5][6] Arracht had its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on 8 March 2020, and won the Audience Award. [7] Arracht screened at the online editions of the 66th Taormina Film Festival in Italy [8], and the 32nd Galway Film Fleadh on Sunday, 12 July [9].
Critical response
Screen Daily said that "although Arracht could be improved by some shifts in emphasis to give the latter half of the plot more clarity and emphasis, [Ó Súilleabháin] still pulls off an authentic drama/thriller, with a powerful impact."[10]
The Irish Times wrote that it was "unmissable" and "beautifully crafted."[11]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dublin International Film Festival | Best Irish Film | Arracht | Won |
| Aer Lingus Discovery Award | Dónall Ó Héalaí | Won | ||
| Glasgow Film Festival | Audience Award | Arracht | Won | |
| American Golden Picture International Film Festival[12] | Best Feature Film | Arracht | Won | |
| Best Director | Tom Sullivan | Won | ||
| Best Cinematographer | Kate McCullough | Won | ||
| Best Child Actress | Saise Ní Chuinn | Won | ||
| Best Lead Actor | Dónall Ó Héalaí | Honorable Mention | ||
| Irish Film and Televison Academy Awards (IFTA) [13] | Best Film 2020 | Arracht | Nominated | |
| Best Director - Film | Tom Sullivan | Nominated | ||
| Best Script - Film | Tom Sullivan | Nominated | ||
| Actor in a Leading Role - Film | Dónall Ó Héalaí | Nominated | ||
| Actor in a Supporting Role - Film | Dara Devaney | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography | Kate McCullough | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Clodagh Deegan | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Music | Kíla | Nominated | ||
| Best Production Design | Padraig O'Neill | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound | Alan Scully, Peter Blayney, Brendan Rehill | Nominated | ||
| Best Makeup & Hair | Niamh O'Loan, Niamh Glynn | Nominated |
References
- "Review of Irish Film @ DIFF 2020: Arracht – Film Ireland Magazine".
- Murphy, Niall (9 March 2020). "Irish drama Arracht wins awards in Dublin and Glasgow". Scannain.
- "Arracht - filmmaker Tom Sullivan on his famine thriller". 17 February 2020 – via www.rte.ie. Cite journal requires
|journal=(help) - Murphy, Niall (27 January 2020). "Watch the new trailer for Tom Sullivan's famine drama Arracht". Scannain.
- "Arracht". Cine4.
- http://www.macallateo.com/productions/arracht/
- Rosser2020-03-09T09:09:00+00:00, Michael. "'Arracht' wins Glasgow audience award; festival draws record admissions". Screen. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- "ARRACHT (2019) - Taormina Film Fest". mymovies.it (in Italian). Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- Galway Film Fleadh | Arracht, retrieved 27 July 2020
- Halligan, Fionnuala; Critic2019-11-19T05:30:00+00:00, Chief Film. "'Arracht': Tallinn Review". Screen.
- Brady, Tara. "Dublin International Film Festival: A guide to the best movies". The Irish Times.
- "Arracht wins at American Golden Picture International Film Festival | The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- Duffy, Rónán. "Here is the full list of nominees for this year's (virtual) IFTAs". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
External links
- Arracht on IMDb
- Arracht at Rotten Tomatoes