Just when you’re ready to jump off the sofa and step out into spring, here’s a unique film studies event that offers you the chance to watch and discuss special previews, one-off screenings and the latest films in the IFI programme over the course of one weekend.

From Friday to Sunday, facilitated by critic and lecturer Stephen Boyd, participants will watch four complete films, and through discussion and interaction, get a deeper and richer understanding of contemporary film culture, and the IFI programme.

SCHEDULE

Fri 20th (17.30): The Elephant Man, dir. David Lynch

Sat 21st (11.00): Vivarium, dir. Lorcan Finnegan

Sat 21st (14.00): The Truth, dir Hirokazu Kore-eda

Sun 22nd (11.00): Brunch and Movie Mixer

Sun 22nd (12.30): Hustlers, dir. Lorene Safaria

Tickets: €90 including all films and talks, tea and coffee x 4 and Sunday brunch. Final programme is subject to change. See below for full film details.

Stephen Boyd is a writer, academic, film critic and lecturer in Film and Digital Media studies at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Dun Laoghaire. Stephen has taught film and media studies for over a decade, and he is a film critic and commentator for Arena on RTÉ Radio 1. His research focuses on the use of film, cinema and digital media within the Irish surfing subculture and Irish surf filmmaking.

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THE ELEPHANT MAN

FRI 20th (17.30)

We begin our weekend with the newly restored 4K version of David Lynch’s early masterpiece which he directed following the success of the avant-garde Eraserhead. A more straightforward horror, it is based on the true story of John Merrick. In crisp black and white, the film presents Victorian London in all its grime and misery, shot on real locations and filled with great performances, including John Hurt as Merrick.

Placing the film in the context of David Lynch’s wider filmmaking career, and his return to television with Twin Peaks (2017), Stephen will discuss recurrent themes and the continued relevance of Lynch’s work, while illustrating how cinema, through this fine restoration, still has
the power to deliver.

DIRECTOR: David Lynch

FILM INFO: 124 mins, USA-USA, 1980, Digital 4K, Black and White

The Elephant Man opens at the IFI on March 13th.

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VIVARIUM

SAT 21st (11.00)

Get your Saturday off to a spooky start with a preview of this mystery sci-fi from Irish director Lorcan Finnegan. Set in Yonder, a labyrinthine suburb of identical houses, young couple Tom and Gemma (Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots) slowly realise they are trapped both within the estate and its lifestyle. Following the screening, Stephen will discuss the film in the context of its sci-fi leanings and its place within Irish film.

DIRECTOR: Lorcan Finnegan

FILM INFO: 97 mins, USA-Belgium-Ireland-Denmark, 2019, Digital

Vivarium opens at the IFI on March 27th.

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THE TRUTH (LA VERITÉ)

SAT 21st (14.00)

The much admired Hirokazu Kore-eda infuses his regular family theme with the stellar wattage of Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawke in this tale of actress Fabienne (Deneuve) whose new memoir disappoints daughter Lumir (Binoche) for its failure to accurately reflect their relationship. Kore-eda’s melodrama slowly yields details that reveal the true state of things,
and the family that just about hangs together.

Before the film, Stephen will offer a brief retrospective of Kore-eda’s work in the context of wider Japanese cinema and also the global qualities of contemporary film culture.

DIRECTOR: Hirokazu Kore-eda

FILM INFO: 106 mins, France-Japan, 2019, Digital, Subtitled

The Truth opens at the IFI on March 20th. 

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BRUNCH & MOVIE MIXER

SUN 22nd (11.00)

Join us in IFI Café Bar for brunch, a chat with other participants, and a chance to talk about the films you’ve been watching in the context of some key film concepts, facilitated by Stephen Boyd.

Meet David O’Mahony, Head of IFI Cinema Programming, who will give a background to some of his programming decisions.

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HUSTLERS

SUN 22nd (12.30)

We finish with one of the brashest and most entertaining of 2019’s releases, with a central ‘shoulda been a contender’ performance from Jennifer Lopez. Lorene Scafaria directs this comedy drama in which a group of former strip club employees band together to get their own back on their Wall Street clients. This original story won hearts, critics and box office, yet failed to convince the juries that a female-driven story could also be worthy of a top prize.

The Irish Times film critic Tara Brady will introduce the film. After the screening, Stephen Boyd will discuss the film with respect to the current rise of women in filmmaking.

DIRECTOR: Lorene Scafaria

FILM INFO: 110 mins, USA, 2019, Digital

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