MESCAL FILM IN FEST FIRST
Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal will attend the Dublin International Film Festival as his new flick God’s Creatures makes its Irish debut.
The drama, starring Paul Mescal, Emily Watson and Aisling Franciosi, made its world premiere at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes last year.
The 27-year-old, from Kildare, and Watson will attend the festival on February 23 for the gala screening of the dark drama.
Set in a small fishing community in the west of Ireland, God’s Creatures tells of a mother who is torn between her instinct to protect her son and her own sense of right and wrong, following a painful revelation.
Speaking at the launch at the Lighthouse Cinema yesterday, festival director Grainne Humphreys said: “Since the start, Dublin International Film Festival has been an audience festival and a product of the environment it lives and breathes in and the community it is built on.
“Part of our job is to explore and reflect where that city and community is today.
“As our city and our film community has changed over recent years, we felt it was also important that we change as a festival. I am particularly delighted to premiere the superb line-up of new Irish films and show these new works alongside their international counterparts.
“It’s a festival programme which I am extremely proud of, packed with discoveries and gems.”
The festival, which runs until March 4, will also celebrate the life and work of Jane Seymour, in conversation with Rick O’shea, while Aidan Gillen’s film Barber will also be screened and Claire Dix makes her debut with her first feature film, Sunlight, starring Barry Ward and Liam Carney.