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Director
Dennis Harvey, Lars Lovén
Credits
Producer Elin Lilleman Eriksson
Cinematographer: Tuva Björk, Jamie Goldrick.
Category
DocumentaryIrish LanguageMusic
Celtic Utopia tells the story of a new Ireland and its vibrant music scene, but also that of a post-colonial society wrestling with its heritage. A society where folk music carries both the oppression of the past and the dream of a bright future. The Irish folk music renaissance sees artists coming from punk, hip-hop, and beyond, rediscovering an ancient tradition and taking it in unexpected directions. A ballad tour around the island, telling stories and singing songs to try to understand their past and to heal their colonial wounds. Archive footage ties the present moment to Ireland’s troubled past, creating a rich portrait of an island coming to terms with its first 100 years of partial independence. Featuring music from: The Mary Wallopers, Negro Impacto, The Deadlians, Jinx Lennon, Poor Creature, Branwen, Lankum, Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, Rising Damp, Young Spencer, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Róis, Post Punk Podge, Susan Hughes, Tadhg Mulligan, Alfie Mulligan, Múlú, Niamh Moriarty, Cathail O'Mhaoil, Summer Newman, Eimear Níc Ionnrachtaigh, Eoghan Ó Garmaile. Awards: + Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature, Leeds International Film Festival, 2025 + Grand Prix, Critics' Week, Locarno Film Festival, 2025
90 minutes, Sweden, Ireland, 2025, Colour
& SONS 15.00, 20.30
ARCHIVE AT LUNCHTIME: HORSE PLAYS (PROGRAMME 2) 13.30
IFI FAMILY FESTIVAL 2026: PAPAYA 17.00
LADY 12.50, 17.3020:40
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA 15.30, 20.40
THE ODYSSEY 14.40, 19.40 (Digital)
TONY 13.00, 18.10
The IFI is supported by The Arts Council