IFB-Supported Films Selected For Sundance

Two Irish feature films supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) are to receive their World Premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2014.
Calvary, directed by John Michael McDonagh, is a comic drama about a good priest tormented by his community. It is McDonagh’s follow-up to 2011's The Guard and again stars Brendan Gleeson (Albert Nobbs, Studs), as well as Chris O'Dowd (The Sapphires, Bridesmaids), Aidan Gillen (Mister John, Shadow Dancer), Dylan Moran (Good Vibrations, A Film with Me In It), Domhnall Gleeson (Sensation, Shadow Dancer) and Killian Scott (Good Vibrations, Black Ice). Calvary is produced by Octagon Films and was filmed in Sligo and Dublin.
Frank, directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Adam & Paul, What Richard Did) is a comedy about a wannabe musician who joins a band of eccentric pop stars led by Frank and his terrifying sidekick, Clara.
It was written by Jon Ronson (The Men Who Stare at Goats) and Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and stars Michael Fassbender (Haywire, Shame), Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, Secretary) and Domhnall Gleeson (Sensation, Shadow Dancer). Frank is produced by Element Pictures and was filmed in Wicklow and Dublin.
James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: "Irish film has performed very well at Sundance over the last number of years. Films such as The Guard, Once, His & Hers, and The Summit have all been discovered at the festival and have gone on from there to be distributed internationally.
"Both Frank and Calvary showcase the excellent work happening right now in the Irish industry and they include a world-class line-up of Irish stars including Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson. Chris O'Dowd, Domhnall Gleeson, Aidan Gillen & Killian Scott. It is a very positive start to 2014 for the industry and a great representation for Ireland internationally."
2013 saw the IFB-funded documentary The Summit and short film Irish Folk Furniture screen at Sundance, both picking up prizes the Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary and the Short Film Jury Award for Animation respectively.
The 2014 Sundance Film Festival will be held from January 16 to 26.
www.sundance.org/festival
(IT/JP)