Five for your radar: Toy Show, Paul Mescal film, Blindboy book...
Some of the highlights of the upcoming cultural week.
This year's Cork International Film Festival got off to a stellar start but there is plenty still to come with a packed programme running until the final day. Among the great screenings is the hotly anticipated All of Us Strangers starring our own Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott. It is showing at the Everyman on Sunday, November 19. There has been huge buzz around this including whispers of Oscar nominations. If you haven't caught One Night in Millstreet yet, it will be screening at several Cork cinemas on Saturday, November 25. Other highlights include the documentary gala screening of Is There Anybody Out There?
Truly one of the most interesting and talented people in Ireland today, when Blindboy Boatclub speaks it is foolish not to listen. He challenges you to look at things from a different point of view and is always challenging the status quo. His new short story collection promises tales of heart-blinding rage and disquieting compassion. The book, which takes its name from a 12th century English manuscript that dehumanised the people of Ireland, looks at humanity, nature and colonisation from the modern Irish perspective. Blindboy will take you on some wild and twisted lives and the messages in the book will stay with you long after you've finished it.
This psychological black comedy is brought to you by the same woman who wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film, Promising Young Woman. Yes, Emerald Fennell is back with another twisted tale in Saltburn. The fantastic cast is led by Barry Keoghan who is going from strength to strength in his career. He is joined by another rising star, Jacob Elordi. The pair play classmates attending Oxford University but who come from drastically different backgrounds. Keogan's Oliver must try not to lose his head as he finds himself drawn into aristocratic society where nothing is as it seems.
Punk folk singer-songwriter is marking 40 years in the music industry this year. His Ireland and UK tour is aptly named The Roaring Forty. For four decades, Billy Bragg has spoken truth to power and he is far from done. Bragg has as much to say now as he did when he was a fresh face arriving on the scene in 1983. He has consistently been a voice of reason and hope, speaking for those forgotten by society. If you have never had the privilege of seeing this man live, this is a chance not to be missed. His tour also takes him to Dublin where he will play the National Concert Hall on November 21.
For most people, the Christmas season officially begins when the Toy Show is aired. Whether you're tuning in with your kids or so you can live-tweet your thoughts and witticisms, it's a fun time all around. We head into this year's show will a little trepidation as it marks Patrick Kielty's first time hosting the iconic night. Will he be able to cope with the unique chaos that is the Toy Show? Can he keep up the energy of his predecessor Ryan Tubridy? Only time will tell but if we made it through the Pat Kenny years, I'm pretty sure we can get through anything.
