PREVIEWS FROM 26th DECEMBER

Following Good Vibrations (2012), their vibrant chronicle of the life and times of Belfast punk maven Terri Hooley, directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn turn to more recent national cultural history in Saipan, an account of one of the most infamous episodes in Irish sport. Having qualified for the 2002 World Cup, led by talismanic captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke, displaying an impressive glower and very much the hero of the piece) and under the management of Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan), the Republic of Ireland team arrive on the titular island to prepare for their campaign. Driven and uncompromising, Keane grows increasingly frustrated with the poor resources and his teammates’ lack of commitment. Open hostility quickly breaks out between him and the ever-more downtrodden and woebegone McCarthy in a film with appeal far beyond that of the football audience.

Notes by Kevin Coyne