Rhys-Meyers and Murphy centre stage for festival launch

IRELAND’S golden boys of cinema, Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Cillian Murphy last night took centre stage in Dublin at the official launch of the Fourth Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.

Rhys-Meyers, who was honoured on Tuesday night with a civic reception in Cork, was a surprise guest at the event which saw the launch of a programme featuring over 100 films and several world premieres.

Guest of honour Murphy had flown in especially for the event from his London base and he jetted back out immediately following the speeches.

The actor who has a three-month-old son Malachy with wife Yvonne, confessed that he’s currently taking a number of weeks out to be with his family in London.

“I’ve just finished filming The Wind That Shakes The Barley which is coming out later this year, so we’ll be having a big Cork premiere. I’m taking a bit of a break at the moment though,” he said.

Told that Peter Stringfellow’s new Dublin club was having an opening party nearby, Murphy showed little interest.

“I haven’t even heard about it, so I’ve no interest in going anywhere,” he smiled.

Commenting on the recent Oscar nominations, the Cork-born Breakfast On Pluto star, who failed to get a nod, suggested it was a huge compliment to have had his name associated with nominees.

“It’s lovely to be associated in any way, all of the Oscar nominees are tremendous actors.”

The Dublin International Film Festival, which will feature the world premieres of The Studs and Johnny Was, runs from February 17 to 26.