This preview screening of Foscadh will be followed by a Q&A with director Seán Breathnach, producer Paddy Hayes, actors Cillian Ó Gairbhí, Dónall O’Héalai, and Fionnuala Flaherty, hosted by Cormac Ó hEadhra (RTÉ Drivetime).

Set in the bleak and beautiful wilds of Connemara, Foscadh tells the story of an unworldly recluse, 28 year old John Cunliffe who is suddenly propelled into manhood when his over-protective parents pass away. When he inherits an important stretch of land and a decent-sized house he attracts the attentions of a ruthless local property developer and a beer-swilling layabout who takes up residence on the sofa. His greatest challenge comes when he must navigate the choppy waters of romance when his new-found wealth sparks the interest of an attractive young nurse, Siobhán (Fionnuala Flaherty). Seán Breathnach’s feature debut, adapted from Donal Ryan’s novel The Thing About December, is a timely meditation on land, on masculinity and vulnerability and on the crippling emotional illiteracy that can result from rural isolation. It is served well by a subtle and complex central performance from Dónall O Héalai (Arracht).

Foscadh is Ireland’s Official Entry into the 2022 Best International Feature Oscars.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn