Scannán – Foscadh

Writer – Director: Seán Breathnach: Producer Paddy Hayes.

Length 93 mins, Ireland, 2021. Subtitled

Followed by a Q&A with Director Seán Breathnach.

Set in the bleak and beautiful wilds of Connemara, Foscadh (Shelter) tells the story of an unworldly recluse, 28-year-old John Cunliffe who is suddenly propelled into manhood when his over-protective parents pass away. When he inherits an important stretch of land and a decent-sized house he attracts the attentions of a ruthless local property developer and a beer-swilling layabout who takes up residence on the sofa. His greatest challenge comes when he must navigate the choppy waters of romance when his new-found wealth sparks the interest of an attractive young nurse, Siobhán (Fionnuala Flaherty).

Seán Breathnach’s feature debut, adapted from Donal Ryan’s novel The Thing About December, is a timely meditation on land, on masculinity and vulnerability and on the crippling emotional illiteracy that can result from rural isolation. It is served well by a subtle and complex central performance from Dónall O Héalai (Arracht).

Foscadh was Ireland’s Official Entry as the 2022 Best International Feature for an Oscar at the American Academy Awards, cementing Seán Breathnach’s position as one of Ireland’s most exciting film directors.

The Screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Director Paddy Breathnach

Preceded by the Award-Winning Irish Language Short Film

“Rúbai” 

Directed by Louise Ni Fhiannachta. Producer Paddy Hayes.

Length 11mins Ireland 2013

In this beautiful short film, as her classmates prepare for their First Holy Communion, Rúbai announces that she is an atheist and refuses to participate.