Based on the true story of Jimmy Gralton, the only Irishman deported from his own country as an “illegal alien”, what Ken Loach has announced as his last fiction feature focuses on the dance hall Gralton opened in rural Leitrim at a time when Ireland was on the brink of Civil War. A place where young people could come to learn, to argue, and to dream, but above all to dance and have fun, quickly came to the attention of the Church and politicians who forced Jimmy to flee and the hall to close.

Returning from the U.S. a decade later, Jimmy vows to live the quiet life. However, as he reintegrates into the community and sees the poverty, boredom, and growing cultural oppression, he decides to reopen the abandoned and empty hall, regardless of the opposition and consequences. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

This film is screening as part of our Ken Loach retrospective (May and June).

This film will feature as part of June’s FREE film club meeting, The Critical Take, on Wednesday, June 25th at 18.30. This club is open to all so please join us to chat about this film and more! Simply collect your free ticket at the IFI Box Office.

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.

★★★★ RTÉ Ten