FilmFreaks

Tag: Irish history

  • Farrell, Coogan, Heaton Join “Bad Bridgets”

    Featured image Farrell Coogan Heaton Join Bad Bridgets

    A thrilling new period revenge story is brewing on Netflix, bringing a cast of comedic and dramatic talent to the screen in the highly anticipated film Bad Bridgets.

    The project promises a captivating dive into the tumultuous 19th century, following a young Irish woman who finds herself thrust into the unruly world of New York. After receiving a mysterious letter that offers escape, she is pulled into a vortex of mayhem where trouble follows in her wake, setting the stage for a dramatic and chaotic adventure.

    The star-studded ensemble includes familiar faces like Colin Farrell, comedian Steve Coogan, and Stranger Things alum Charlie Heaton. They join a compelling group of actors, including Domhnall Gleeson, Himesh Patel, Niamh Algar, and Simone Kirby, alongside previously cast members Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver.

    At the helm of this historical drama is producer and director Rich Peppiatt, who is joined by the LuckyChap banner of Margot Robbie, promising a visually rich and engaging production.

    The narrative foundation for Bad Bridgets is deeply rooted in history. The script draws inspiration from the historical book Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. This source material explores the difficult reality of Irish women emigrating to the U.S., often facing societal prejudice and hardship.

    The film taps into a powerful theme, examining how Irish women immigrants were frequently viewed as troublemakers, even outnumbering some Irish men in prison at one point. This rich historical context adds layers of complexity to the story of the women navigating a dangerous new world.

    Filming for the production is set to begin in mid-July, with principal photography scheduled to take place on location across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

    Credit: Dark Horizons

  • Displace: The Battle For Dublin – Jennie Kermode – 20385

    “James Redmond’s documentary is full of the flavour of the city whose struggles it addresses. It is not merely about Dublin, but very much a product of it, filmed over four years, infused with the experiences of its residents and with stories of those who went before them.”

    This insight perfectly captures the essence of a cinematic journey through a place—one that doesn’t just observe reality, but absorbs the soul of it. A documentary shot over four years, immersing itself in the lived realities of Dublin, transforms the city from a geographic location into a living, breathing entity.

    The decision to utilize black and white cinematography was not merely an aesthetic choice; it served a deeper narrative purpose. By stripping away the vibrancy of color, the filmmakers placed the past and the present on equal footing, allowing shadows and textures to emerge. These visual elements speak volumes about the city’s deep character, revealing the intricate layers of history embedded in its architecture and streets.

    The resulting fusion of specificity and ubiquity is what makes this work so valuable to documentarians—a perfect blend of intimate detail and broad societal scope. The narrative moves through iconic locations, guiding the viewer step by step through scenes of cultural significance, such as the bustling Iveagh markets, the historic streets of Moore Street, and the creative energy of Richmond Road studios.

    Beyond these physical landmarks, the documentary weaves in universal themes that resonate far beyond the borders of Ireland. It explores complex socio-economic realities—the dynamics of managed decline, examining how large corporations influence urban landscapes—alongside the deeply personal stories of the people who call the city home.

    The film serves as a powerful reminder that great cities are defined not just by their monuments, but by the countless, interwoven lives they contain. It is an invitation to look closer, to understand the history etched into the very fabric of the urban experience.

    Credit: Eye For Film

  • Lesbian Lines – Jennie Kermode – 20377

    The 20th century was a whirlwind of change. Scientists, politicians, and news presenters spoke with breathless excitement about progress and the notion that anything seemed possible. Yet, for queer people in Ireland, even as late as the Nineties, this grand sweep of history felt utterly irrelevant. It seemed as though little had shifted since the medieval era.

    For women, the experience was even more constrained. Caught precariously between the demands of the Church and the state, they navigated a deeply restrictive culture. Self-expression often remained an impossibility, shadowed by a pervasive culture of silence surrounding domestic abuse.

    The internal struggle was immense. Many viewed being lesbian as the ultimate transgression, the worst thing one could possibly be. Others possessed little framework to contextualize their feelings, leaving them with no safe way to process their reality except to see themselves solely as sinful.

    This period was also marked by institutionalized cruelty. Women were often forcibly removed from their lives and communities, being shut away in mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries without any meaningful redress. Compounding this suffering was the terrifying weight of religious decree, where the threat of hellfire after death felt alarmingly real.

    Amidst this oppressive landscape of silence, fear, and institutional control, a lifeline emerged.

    Credit: Eye For Film