Hibernian Media proudly announces film selections for their 10th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley, scheduled this year at the Wilmette Theatre in Wilmette, Sept. 27-29.
It’s the only Irish-American film festival in the world and this year we are so excited to present three extraordinary films.
Opening the Movie Hooley on Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. will be “Sins of Ireland,” written and directed by our old friend Alex Fegan, who will attend this year’s event. This feature documentary is told “Through the prism of the confession box, which has its origins in Ireland, 'Sins of Ireland' is a portrait of an overlooked aspect of Ireland’s past and how it impacted many parts of the world. Fifteen Irish priests, known for hearing the confessions, outline what confession was supposed to be and, while confessing the sins of the church, what it became.” John Byrne of RTE calls it, “Genius – it would be a sin to miss it.”
Saturday night, Sept. 28, will feature the 8 p.m. special Chicago screening of “Kneecap,” written and directed by Rich Peppiatt. Don’t miss this film, it’s bravura filmmaking at its Irish best! Michael Phillips of the Tribune recently wrote “‘Kneecap’ is a rousing Belfast hip hop ode to native tongues everywhere!”
This film is often in the Irish language with English sub-titles and celebrates the funny, sexy side of Irish rebellion with this coda, “Every word of Irish spoken is a bullet for Irish freedom.” Jessica Reynolds, the young actress who plays the sultry, “Georgia”, the Femme fatale in “Kneecap,” will make a personal appearance at this special screening.
Finally on Sunday at 5 p.m., Sept. 29 , the Hooley will present the Chicago premiere of Rita Davern’s evocative documentary film, “Stories I Didn’t Know.”
It’s a family reunion … what could go wrong? Plenty, as we soon learn when Rita Davern exposes an ugly reality at the heart of a family legend.
We encourage our audience to come and meet Rita as she tells an emotional tale of her family, their roots in Ireland, and the shocking truths she’s discovered along the way. Now in its 10th year, the Movie Hooley has introduced audiences to the very best in Irish and Irish-American filmmaking, with opportunities to meet each individual writer, director, or producer who have brought their films to Chicago, this year once again bringing the films directly to our audiences at the Wilmette Théâtre in Wilmette.
Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan said, “If your image of the Irish is trapped in some sort of playful Shamrock- ‘Danny Boy’ realm, prepare yourselves for the dark but altogether satisfying world represented by the latest offerings of this year’s Irish American Movie Hooley.”
The films have grown in stature each year and the 10th Annual Movie Hooley promises to be our best yet. The Annual Movie Hooley is presented by Hibernian Media NFP, our local public charity dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Irish culture. Hibernian also produces a pair of weekly Irish American radio programs, their community web blog FreeCraic.com, an annual pilgrimage to Ireland, and a variety of other film, TV, live concerts and literary endeavors.
Sponsors of the 10th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley include The Hilton Chicago, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and Madden Funds.
Tickets for each film are $12 and snacks and drinks are offered in the lobby at Wilmette Theatre
1122 Central Ave, Wilmette, Ill. (Tel: 847-251-7424, Website, wilmettetheatre.com)
