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.