Martin McDonagh Retrospective: In Bruges

2008 / 107m / directed by Martin McDonagh

Celebrating the release of McDonagh’s new film The Banshees of Inisherin, which reunites Brendan Gleeson with festival patron Colin Farrell, we’re celebrating the film which brought them together in the first place in this special retrospective event.

London based hit men Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) are told by their boss to lie low in Bruges, Belgium, following their latest hit, which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. 

While they wait for Harry's call, Ken, following Harry's advice, takes in the sights of the mediaeval city with great appreciation. But the charms of Bruges are lost on the simpler Ray, who is already despondent over the innocent death, especially as it was his first job. 

With a morbid, self-effacing humour throughout, and a few high stakes action set pieces to keep our adrenaline raised, In Bruges is a classic Irish film which deserves a repeat viewing as part of the festival.

Join us in celebrating this Irish cult classic at VUE Piccadily on the 19th of November by booking your tickets below.

An Irish Goodbye

2021 / 23 mins / Tom Berkeley and Ross White

Also screening with In Bruges is the award winning short film An Irish Goodbye, from the makers of ROY, which was one of ten films longlisted for Best British Short Film at the 75th BAFTA Awards in 2022.

Set against the backdrop of a working farm in rural Northern Ireland, 'An Irish Goodbye' is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) and Lorcan (James Martin) following the untimely death of their mother (Michelle Fairley).

Guaranteed to get a laugh, this is the perfect introduction to a classic Irish comedy.