Packing a real punch

The shorts and documentary strands again produced the main highlights of the Corona Cork Film Festival, says Carl Dixon

THE 56th Corona Cork Film Festival provided an eclectic and entertaining mix of features, short films and documentaries. Triskel Christchurch, a new and highly atmospheric venue, was a welcome addition to the Gate cinema and Cork Opera House for the festival’s screenings.

The Opening Gala at Cork Opera House, Like Crazy, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year. A slow burning, intense film — and just a little too fond of itself — it charted the convoluted love affair between a young English student and her American classmate. While the performance from lead actress Felicity Jones won the plaudits, the few witty lines in the film were delivered by her perpetually bemused, whiskey-drinking father, played with understated charm by English character actor Oliver Muirhead.