Summer in Dublin 1996 and the suburbs fill up with hordes of Spanish, French, and Italian students sent to learn English by their optimistic parents. Simone, a wealthy Italian boy, arrives to spend a few weeks with the Fergusons, a host family of modest means.  When he meets Alison, the daughter of the house, a death-obsessed Goth with a passion for crucifixes, leather, and industrial noise bands, he is immediately smitten and takes off with her on a cross-country journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening – with both their fathers in hot pursuit. This amiable coming-of-age story finds drama and humour in teenage rebellion, insensitive fathers, culture contrasts, and young love.  It has much to offer from captivating reminders of ‘90s youth culture to early-career glimpses of Brendan Gleeson and Eileen Walsh.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn