We have a fantastic selection of films coming up for you in the new season of movies from Waterford Film For All at Garter Lane Arts Centre, showcasing some of the very best of independent, Irish, European and World cinema
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story (2024) – Tues 1st April
Author, playwright and socialite Edna O’Brien reflects upon her life and career with astounding candidacy in Sinéad O’Shea’s documentary.
Defying Ireland’s patriarchal, religious constraints with her sexually frank debut novel, The Country Girls, she became a literary sensation. Vilified in Ireland and escaping an abusive husband, O’Brien was empowered and prolific, a taboo breaker who made a fortune and lost one.
Cottontail (2023) – Tues 22nd April
Following the death of his wife Akiko, devastated Kenzaburo is presented with a letter from her requesting that her ashes be scattered at Lake Windermere in England, a place that held precious memories from her childhood. Kenzaburo reluctantly agrees that his estranged son Toshi may accompany him to the other side of the world to fulfil Akiko’s final wish. Director Patrick Dickinson draws influence from the gentle dramas of Hirokazu Koreeda for this, his debut feature about family and reconciliation.
Anora (2024) – Tues 29th April
Anora “Ani” Mikheeva lives in Brooklyn, working as a stripper. When Ani meets Ivan – the young, party-loving son of a rich Russian oligarch – Ivan is smitten. He starts paying Ani to become his live-in partner. After a few whirlwind weeks of excess, they get married in Vegas. But everything falls apart when Ivan’s parents find out about Ani…
Flow (2024) – Tues 13th May
Animated adventure film Flow is set in a flooded fantasy world, where humans are seemingly absent. When a massive tsunami floods its home, a lone cat finds shelter on a passing boat occupied only by a capybara. Several other animals – including a friendly Labrador and nervous lemur – soon join the vessel as it drifts towards a mysterious tower…
Becoming Led Zeppelin (2025) – Fri 16th May
Becoming Led Zeppelin delves into the legendary band’s beginnings and their astonishing ascent to fame within a single year, defying all expectations. Fuelled by mesmerising, never-before-seen psychedelic footage, electrifying performances and iconic music, Bernard MacMahon’s immersive cinematic journey uncovers the creative, musical and personal origins of Led Zeppelin. Using the band’s own words, this is the first officially authorised film about the group.
Hard Truths (2024) – Tues 27th May
Present-day London. Middle-aged sisters Pansy and Chantal could not be more different. Chantal is cheerful and empathetic. Pansy, on the other hand, is argumentative, hypersensitive and full of anger, with her husband Curtley and grown-up son Moses bearing the brunt of her emotional outbursts. As Mother’s Day approaches, things are at breaking point, unless Chantal can somehow help her sister…
Maria (2024) – Tues 3rd June
Continuing his run of acclaimed and original biopics (Spencer, Jackie), in Maria Pablo Larraín explores who Maria Callas (a captivating Angelina Jolie) really was, away from the fame and tabloid headlines.
In her final days, her health failing, we accompany Callas as she wanders around a picturesque Paris recounting the highs and lows of her life to a revering journalist.
I’m Still Here (2024) – Tues 10th June
Early 1970s, Rio de Janeiro: life in the Paiva family is hectic but filled with laughter and warmth. This changes dramatically when head of the household, and former congressman, Rubens is taken for questioning by the military…
Based on the memoir of Rubens’ son Marcello, this latest film from Oscar-winner Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) is intelligent, compelling and moving.
