Kisses by Lance Daly
The Los Angeles Irish Film Festival is currently being held at the American Cinematheque's Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
Gabriel Byrne will be present tonight for a screening of Gabriel Byrne: Stories from Home, directed by Pat Collins.
Upcoming films include Vittoria Colonna Di Stigliano's Identities, about Ireland's transgender denizens; Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey's animated adventure tale The Secret of Kells; and Lance Daly's Kisses, about two pre-teens who run away from home and end up in the streets of Dublin.
The Aero is located at 1328 Montana Avenue (at 14th Street) in Santa Monica.
The schedule and synopses below are from the American Cinematheque's press release:
Friday, September 25 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature:
CHERRYBOMB, 2009, Little Film Company, 86 min. Dirs. Lisa Barros D'Sa & Glenn Leyburn. Teenagers Luke, Malachy and Michelle embark on a wild weekend of drinking, drugs, shoplifting and stealing cars. But what starts out as a game turns deadly serious when they discover they can't get off the wild ride they've set in motion. With Rupert Grint (HARRY POTTER's Ron Weasley), Robert Sheehan ("Young Blades," "Foreign Exchange"), Kimberley Nixon (EASY VIRTUE), James Nesbitt ("Cold Feet," "Murphy's Law"). Plus"Call Me Son" (U.K., 2008, 11 min.) Dir. Louis McCullagh. When you've had more parents than birthdays, the last thing you want are two more.
IDENTITIES, 2008, Underground Films, 84 min. Dir. Vittoria Colonna Di Stigliano. Charting the multicolored, multicultural transgender community in Ireland, five stories give shape to the worlds of transvestism, transsexualism, drag, sexual identity and gender dysphoria. A film that forgoes stereotyping in favor of an empathetic look at the human spirit. Filmmakers in person.
Plus "Out of the Blue" (Ireland, 2008, 9 min.) Dir. Michael Lavelle. A lonely man's life is suddenly transformed when he discovers an old TV floating in the sea.
Saturday, September 26 – 1:00 PM
Documentary Short Program:
THE BOYS OF ST COLUMB'S (2009, 53 min.), Dir. Tom Collins. This documentary tells the story of some of Ireland's most famous sons, including Seamus Heaney, Eamonn McCann and John Hume. Plus "Raise the Last Glass" (2009, 11 min.) Dirs. Lucy Kennedy, Lauren Kesner. When Waterford Crystal closed its main factory in January, its longtime workers staged a sit-in for almost two months to try to save their jobs. Plus "Guests of Another Nation" (1988, 28 min.), Dirs. Mark Stewart, John Fleming. Recently rediscovered, this 1988 film uses interviews to capture the alienation of young Irish emigrants in London in the late 1980s. Director Tom Collins will appear for discussion following the screening.
Saturday, September 26 – 4:00 PM
THE SECRET OF KELLS, 2009, Buena Vista Films, 75 min. Dirs. Tomm Moore & Nora Twomey. Adventure, action and danger await 12-year-old Brendan, who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells in this acclaimed animated film. Featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson (IN BRUGES) and Mick Lally ("Ballykissangel"). Winner of 2009 Audience Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. "…the kind of movie where you want to keep stopping it to admire the many elaborate layers that nearly every frame is loaded with." – Jeremy W. Kaufman, Destroy All Podcasts DX. Join us at 3:00 PM at Every Picture Tells a Story for an hour of Irish storytelling.
Saturday, September 26 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature! Spotlight Screening:
KISSES, 2008, Oscilloscope, 72 min. Director Lance Daly's powerful film follows Kylie and Dylan, two 11-year-olds whose innocence is challenged on a daily basis. When both kids find themselves in danger of severe abuse at the hands of their elders, they run away to Dublin. Over the course of a long night in the city, the kids face various dangers and turn to each other for love, friendship and safety. "A modern-day romantic fairytale amidst a pitiless city backdrop, 'Kisses' heralds the coming of the next generation in Irish filmmakers in Daly." – Gavin Burke, entertainment.ie. "It's always warm and engaging — and terrifically played by its young leads." – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.
WAVERIDERS, 2009, Inis Films, 80 min. Dir. Joel Conroy. Detailing the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon, Conroy showcases the world-class surfing destinations off the northwest coast of Ireland. The story unfolds via the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman George Freeth, who was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early 20th century. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. "…A documentary of universal appeal…" – Mike Sheridan, entertainment.ie. Filmmakers In Person.
Plus "Countdown" (Ireland, 2008, 3 min.) Dir. David Tynan. Adapted from Adrian Wistreich's poem "Countdown to Ecstasy," this short film follows Robbie and Sinead's relationship in the months and the night leading up to Sinead's overdose.
Sunday, September 27 – 5:00 PM
25th Anniversary of the Dun Laoghaire National Film School:
IRISH SHORT FILMS, 60 min.
We celebrate the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology's (IADT) 25th anniversary by showcasing the best work of its 25 years of graduates, including Kirsten Sheridan (AUGUST RUSH), Ken Wardrop (CONTAGIOUS), Ciaran Donnelly ("Cold Feet," "The Tudors"), Aisling Walsh (LITTLE BIRD), Declan McGrath (REIGN OF FIRE), Donal Nolan (WANTED, ANGELS & DEMONS) and James Mather ("Adam & Paul," "Prosperity").
Sunday, September 27 – 7:30 PM
Hugh Leonard Tribute:
DA, 1988, FilmDallas Pictures,102 min. Dir. Matt Clark. A New York playwright is summoned to Ireland to bury his father (his "Da"). While at his boyhood home, he encounters his father's spirit and relives memories both pleasant and not. Barnard Hughes re-creates his stage role in the movie version of Hugh Leonard's popular stage play. With Martin Sheen. Discussion following with Martin Sheen and filmmakers Matt Clarke and Bill Greenblatt (schedule permitting). Reception following. Author Mary Pat Kelly will be signing her latest book, Galway Bay, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the theatre.