"The Irish in Film"

October 18, the series will present "The Banshees of Inisherin" (2023), the Oscar nominated film by playwright and filmmaker Martin McDonagh. The film is set in the early 1920s on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, during the Irish Civil War. It stars Colin Farrell as Padraic, a dull farmer, and Brendan Gleason, as Colin, an eccentric violinist. The two have been longtime friends until one day Colm tells Padraic that he does not want to talk to him anymore. When Padraic persists, Colm vows to cut off one of his own fingers. For a violinist, this seems an empty threat.  The countrymen's petty conflict, however, develops into a complete falling-out. Barry Keoghan plays Dominic, a dopey but tragic islander who becomes Padraic's new buddy. Kerry Condon plays Siobhan, Padraic's sensible sister, who, understandably wants to leave the island for a more fulfilling life on the mainland.