There is a lot of Irish potential at the next Academy Awards.
The nominations for the 2021 Academy Awards won't be announced until January, but there is a lot of buzz around potential Irish nominees.
We've got
Saoirse Ronan in powerful new drama Ammonite, there is incredible Irish animated movie
Wolfwalkers, and today IFTA have announced that an Irish-language feature film has been selected as Ireland's entry for the Oscars' Best International Feature Film category.
The plot synopsis for Arracht is as follows:
"Set in Ireland in 1845, the movie centres on Colmán Sharkey, a fisherman, a father, a husband, who takes in a stranger at the behest of a local priest. Patsy, a former soldier arrives just ahead of 'the blight', a crop disease that caused the Great Plague, killing and displacing millions of Irish people. As the crops rot in the fields, Colmán, his brother and Patsy travel to the English Landlord's house to request a stay on rent increases that Colmán predicts will destroy his community. His request falls on deaf ears and Patsy's subsequent actions set Colmán on a path that will take him to the edge of survival, and sanity. It is only upon encountering an abandoned young girl that Colmán's resolve is lifted. Just in time for the darkness of his past to pay another visit."
The film was shown as part of some Irish festivals pre-lockdown, and received some incredible reviews.
Film Ireland - "Beautifully shot by Kate McCullough and featuring compelling performances from all the cast."
Eye For Film - "This is chiefly a character study of one man's humanity in the face of grief but it echoes the wider trauma of a nation that was decimated by hunger."
Screen International - "This tough little drama/thriller benefits from an unusual setting and a flinty approach."
The 93rd Academy Awards are set to take place in April 2021, while Arracht is due for release in Irish cinemas in 2021, and you can check out the trailer right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYmZ8mPrm5A&feature=youtu.be
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