Dating Amber has released on Amazon Prime today, June 4th, with Wildcard Distribution releasing the feature film in Ireland when cinemas re-open later in the year.
Written and directed by David Freyne (The Cured), Dating Amber is set in Ireland during the mid-’90s, where Eddie (Fionn O’Shea: Handsome Devil; Normal People) and Amber (Lola Petticrew: A Bump Along The Way) decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating about their sexuality. Eddie is keen to follow his Dad into the military, while Amber dreams of moving to the liberal hub of London. However, their ‘ideal’ arrangement begins to fall apart, forcing Eddie deeper into denial as Amber realises that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes.
Dating Amber is a poignant, honest, and funny look at the highs and lows of teenage life where the only way to fit in is to not be yourself, even if this goes against your very being.
“We are so excited to have the film be a Prime Original and to get this amazing release, particularly in such uncertain times for our industry,” said writer/director David Freyne, when speaking with IFTN.
“The film is my love letter to growing up in Ireland, and for all those gay kids who felt like they didn't belong,” Freyne continued. “I can't wait for people to see it, to fall in love with Eddie and Amber, and hopefully bring some joy to the lockdown.”
The film also stars BAFTA and IFTA Award winner Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe; Military Wives), Barry Ward (Extra Ordinary; Maze), and Simone Kirby (Artemis Fowl). The film was funded by Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and was produced by Rachael O’Kane (The Cured) and John Keville (The Hole in The Ground). Benoit Rôland (Filth) Co-Produced the film with Altitude’s Will Clarke, Andy Mayson, and Mike Runagall. Runagall and Screen Irelands’ Dearbhla Regan are Executive Producing.
Altitude is handling international sales and will be screening at the Cannes Virtual Market.