Lenny Abrahamson, Director of Adam & Paul (pictured) and producer Jonny Speers will speak at a plenary discussion of the 5th Annual Psychoanalytic Film Festival in Independent Colleges on Dawson St, Dublin which takes place on 31st January and 1st February 2014. The theme of this year’s festival explores the psyche of the Irish. For full details see www.dermotnolan.ie/filmfestival
On the 31st January and 1st February 2014, Independent Colleges on Dublin’s Dawson Street plays host to the 5th Annual Psychoanalytic Film Festival, this years’ theme; The Irish. The festival will showcase a number of both well-known and obscure Irish movies, each one presented by a member of Dublin’s psychoanalytic community – who will give special insight into the movies themes and characters. The festival also includes a plenary discussion with esteemed Irish Director, Lenny Abrahamson, whose works include What Richard Did and Adam and Paul.
In Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, one of the protagonists, Colin Sullivan remarks that; “What Freud said about the Irish is: We’re the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis”. Although this remark attributed to Freud has never successfully been tracked down, it has become something of an urban myth about ‘The Irish’. Organisers of the Annual Psychoanalytic Film Festival are thus turning their attention to this attributed statement on the Irish psyche, as it is committed to classic and contemporary celluloid, to explore its veracity. What might it possibly mean to be unanalyzable, to be a race of people for whom psychoanalysis could have no use?
Multiple screenings throughout the weekend are collated on themes such as ‘The Irish in Love’ where audiences can watch and discuss Irish classics such as December Bride (1991), I Was Happy Here (1966) and Gypo (2005). On Saturday morning the theme will be ‘Beyond The Beyonds: Excess and the Irish’ featuring such powerful Irish tales as Hunger (2008), The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) and I Went Down (1997). The final trio of the festival explores the shaping effect of Ireland’s history, The Past is Another Country, the movies are Kings (2007) , The Rockingham Shoot (1987) and The Rocky Road to Dublin (1968). Attendees of the launch night on Friday, 31st January can enjoy a delicious selection of tapas with wine from 5.30pm. On Saturday afternoon a plenary panel, which includes both director and producer of the Irish hit Adam & Paul Lenny Abrahamson and Jonny Speers, will discuss Contemporary Irish Subjects on Celluloid including Adam & Paul (2004), Garage (2007) and What Richard Did (2012).
For full movie listings please see wwwdermotnolan.ie/filmfestival, tickets for the festival are available for purchase online at this web site or on the day of the screening.
