Irish Film Institute -International Film Directory – Film Listing

A Man of No Importance

    • Director

      Suri Krishnamma

    • Credits

      Producer: Jonathan Cavendish. Writer: Barry Devlin

    • Principal Cast

      Albert Finney, Brenda Fricker, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell

  • Category

    Feature
    LGBTQIA+

Albert Finney delivers a star turn in this deeply human drama about a 1960s Dublin bus conductor unwilling to reveal his homosexuality to an unwelcoming city. This ‘man of no importance’, Alfred Byrne (Finney), attempts to celebrate his love for Oscar Wilde with a production of Salome but the intolerant atmosphere of the city is such that even Byrne’s sister Lily (Brenda Fricker) attempts to sabotage his production. When further attempts to express himself are met with beatings in the street Alfred begins to question his future in Dublin. The film’s rich cast includes Michael Gambon playing an intolerant butcher, but the star is Finney, who brings comedy and pathos to this story of a man struggling to remain under the radar whilst staying true to his passions.

99 minutes, Ireland/United Kingdom, 1994, Colour

IFI CINEMAS TODAY


The IFI is supported
by The Arts Council

Arts Council of Ireland