From Lakelands writer/director duo Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, the short marks the first film performance of Oscar nominated actor Paul Mescal (Gladiator 2, Normal People).
Starring alongside Mescal in the short is Dafhyd Flynn (Michael Inside), Lorcan Cranitch (The Dig), Simone Collins (The Last Duel) and Jarlath Tivnan (Angels Guard Thee). Electronic producer Daithí created an original score for the film. Daithí, Flynn and Cranitch all went on to collaborate with the filmmaking pair on their debut feature film, Lakelands.
Drifting tells the story of Cian and Pat, best friends who have been joined at the hip since they were kids and have the run of their small town in the midlands. Cian is content to coast through a life of booze and casual hook-ups while Pat has grown weary of his surroundings. The film takes place over 24 hours where Cian’s erratic behaviour pushes Pat to breaking point. The film is an exploration of the effects of emigration and the unspoken tenderness in male friendship.
Speaking about the news, writer/director Robert Higgins said: “We’re delighted that Drifting is now available online. This film was a real passion project for us from the beginning and a formative project for us when it came to our filmmaking. It was a pleasure to work with such an amazing array of talent and has been wonderful to watch them go onto great things in the past couple of years.”
Writer/director Patrick McGivney added: “Drifting’ is a very personal film for both of us and bringing it to life with such a talented cast and crew was an incredible experience. It wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the people of Granard, Longford. We’re delighted it’s now finally available online on Network Ireland Television’s YouTube channel.”
The film is available to view here on Network Ireland Television’s YouTube channel:
The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2020 and went onto screen at a number of festivals such as Aesthetica Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival, and Cork Film Festival.
The film was shot shortly after Mescal had completed filming his breakout role in the TV series Normal People. The short was filmed in Longford with assistance from Creative Ireland Longford and was produced by Longford natives Chris Higgins, Tomás Devaney, and Jason Gaynor. The film was shot by award-winning cinematographer Simon Crowe, edited by Ciaran Murray, sound edited by James Latimer, and colour graded by Leandro Arouca.
Higgins and McGivney released their debut feature film Lakelands in 2023 in Irish and UK cinemas after being acquired by Wildcard Distribution. It won Best Irish Film at Galway Film Fleadh, Kerry Film Festival, and Dublin Film Critics’ Circle. The film stars BAFTA nominee and IFTA winner Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment, Normal People, Vivarium), Danielle Galligan (Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, Kin), Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands, The Dig), Dafhyd Flynn (Michael Inside), Dara Devaney (Arracht), and Gary Lydon (The Banshees of Inisherin). The film was co-produced by Chris Higgins and Andrei Bogdan.
