‘Sing Street’, the musical from writer and director John Carney (‘Once’, ‘Begin Again’), went on release in the US last week and is one of three Irish films to be released in US cinemas in the coming months. ‘The Lobster’, which won the Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival last year and Sundance hit ‘Love and Friendship’ will also be released in the US on May 13th.
‘Sing Street’, recently nominated for eight IFTA Awards including Best Film, is currently rated at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and has already proved to be a critical and box office hit in Ireland having remained in the top five films at the Irish box office for the past five weeks since its release over the St Patrick's day weekend. Still playing at number six in the charts, the film has taken close to €1 million and is playing on over 26 screens across the country. The film was reviewed as ‘Pretty terrific' by The Guardian, ‘An absolute delight' by the Irish Times and has received positive reviews from the New York Times and the LA Times. ‘Sing Street’ opened in the US on a limited release taking a strong $12.7K screen average and is also set to be released in the UK in May.
Produced by Martina Niland in Ireland for Cosmo Films ‘Sing Street’ stars Ferdia Walsh- Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor (who won a Best Supporting Actor Film IFTA for his performance), Maria Doyle Kennedy and Aidan Gillen.
‘Love and Friendship’ which was a huge hit at Sundance earlier this year will be released around the globe in the coming months. Produced by Blinder Films on location in Ireland and directed by Whit Stillman, ‘Love and Friendship’ stars Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel and Stephen Fry. Adapted from a Jane Austen novel, the film follows the machinations of the beautiful widow Lady Susan Vernon, who seeks refuge from rumour and gossip about her dalliances and plots new conquests at the estate of her in-laws.
‘The Lobster’ which stars Colin Farrell and Rachel Weiss opened to rave reviews in Ireland and the UK last year and has already taken over $8.7 million worldwide to date. The film was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and produced by Element Pictures.
All three films were produced with support from the Irish Film Board and will showcase images of Ireland around the globe.
Last year, Irish films took over $53 million at the international box office with a number of films selling every territory across the world. ‘Brooklyn’ has taken $60 million in worldwide box office to date and ‘Room’ has taken $35 million.
