Irish Film Institute -International Film Directory – Film Listing

Five Minutes of Heaven

    • Director

      Oliver Hirschbiegel

    • Credits

      Producers: Stephen Wright, Eoin O'Callaghan. Writer: Guy Hibbert

    • Principal Cast

      Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt

  • Category

    Feature

Northern Ireland’s violent past casts a long shadow in this emotionally-complex drama that has director Oliver Hirschbiegel wrestle with difficult questions of guilt and forgiveness. The brutal murder of Joe Griffin’s (Kevin O’Neill) brother before his eyes by the teenage Alistair (Mark Davison) leaves deep wounds on Joe’s psyche; thirty years on, an adult Joe (James Nesbitt) stills dreams of vengeance on the now-free Alistair (Liam Neeson). His chance comes when a TV show invites Joe and Alistair to appear and discuss the violent past; Joe, however, plans to keep violence in the present by murdering Alistair live on air. Hirschbiegel had already grappled with difficult political themes in the internationally-celebrated Downfall and here asks tough questions about the consequences of violence and if and how it can be forgiven.

Awards:
Best Single Drama/Drama Serial Award at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards 2010.
Best Writer Award at 64th BAFTA Awards 2010

89 minutes, Ireland/UK, 2009, Colour


The IFI is supported
by The Arts Council

Arts Council of Ireland