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

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Check out the full fixtures of football on film this January at the IFI!

Archive at Lunchtime: Film Scores!
Enjoy two programmes of FREE lunchtime screenings featuring the tribulations of the childhood football pitch.

Paris 75: The European Cup Final Football Tried To Forget (Dir. Harvey Marcus, 2025)
A compelling documentary following Leeds United in the controversial 1975 European Cup final against Bayern Munich. Screening Saturday 3 January at 16:10.

From the Vaults: Red Mist (Dir. Éamon Little, 2007)
A punchy, poignant, and very funny documentary investigates the tensions between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy on the island of Saipan in May 2002. Screening Monday 5 January at 18:30.