Cork Film Festival off to flying start with  surreal offering at Opera House

The Irish producers and cinematographer of Poor Things were among those at Cork Opera House for the Irish premiere of the much-anticipated film

A the screening of Poor Things at Cork Opera House for the opening of Cork International Film Festival were: Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, David Puttnam, Fiona Clark,  Anna Kopecká,  and Barney Whelan. Picture: David Creedon

The 68th Cork International Film Festival got under way at the city’s Opera House on Thursday with an event that featured major industry figures, a magnificent opening film, and a singing lord mayor.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy, a Lord Mayor with a longterm involvement in Cork’s musical theatre scene, drew rapturous applause when he diverted from his speech to sing a rousing rendition of ‘Smile’, from Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times film.

Those making opening-night speeches also included David Puttnam, the legendary producer behind such films as Chariots of Fire, The Mission, and The Killing Fields. The 82-year-old West Cork resident paid tribute to the talented crop of female filmmakers who have emerged in the industry, chastised RTÉ and BBC for their lack of a movie show, and also heaped praise on the the organisers of a Cork festival of which he is patron.

Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney from Element Pictures, producers of Poor Things, at Cork Opera House. Picture: David Creedon

Indeed, the festival scored something of a coup to be able to present the Irish premiere of Poor Things, from Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster, etc). Though it might have had a Greek director, the Irish claim on Poor Things was in evidence with the presence in Cork of producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Dublin-based movie powerhouse Element, and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan.

The latter figure dedicated the film to Claire Lynch, the young Kerry filmmaker and close friend who died tragically 30 years ago in a house fire on Drawbridge Street while attending the Cork festival.

Poor Things’ general release is a few months away, but on the evidence of the Cork screening, the film will make a major impact internationally and will likely add to the Golden Lion award it took at Venice. Lanthimos may have taken a step towards the mainstream with The Favourite, but his latest offering has him going off-piste again for a hilariously macabre epic starring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo.

Emma Stone in Poor Things.

With the opening out of the way, that just leaves about 200 more films to be screened in Cork until November 26 in this year’s extended festival. Other highlights include the Irish premiere of the much-anticipated All Of Us Strangers, with Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal; and the world premiere of One Night In Millstreet, a documentary about the 1995 fight between Chris Eubank and Steve Collins, complete with the Irish boxer in attendance.

Among the other visitors to Cork in the coming days will include Damian and Jared Harris (sons of Richard Harris), who will attend the international premiere of their feature drama, Brave The Dark, in the Everyman.

• For screening details and tickets, see https://corkfilmfest.org/

Out and About at Cork Film Festival 

Sinéad Burke, with Trish Long and Rowena Neville at the Cork International Film Festival gala night of the Irish Premiere of Poor Things at Cork Opera House. Pictures: David Creedon

Robbie Ryan, director of photography on Poor Things, at Cork Opera House.

 Mary Hayes and Rory Cobbe at the Cork International Film Festival gala night.

Actor Shane Casey from The Young Offenders at  Cork Opera House.

 Martin Kelly, Rebecca Heald, and Alan McNamara and Derek Shears.

 Vicki Maye of the Irish Examiner at the Cork International Film Festival gala night.

Jim Sroka, Lavena Edelmann and Fionn McAoidh-Breslin.

 Hilary Rose and Dominic McHale from The Young Offenders.