Lakelands (film)

Last updated

Lakelands
Directed by
  • Robert Higgins
  • Patrick McGivney
Written by
  • Robert Higgins
  • Patrick McGivney
Starring
Production
company
Harp Media
Distributed byWildcard Distribution
Release date
  • 9 July 2022 (2022-07-09)(Galway)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish

Lakelands is a 2022 Irish drama film by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney of Harp Media in their feature film debut.

Contents

Premise

The film centres on a small local small-town GAA football "outside the bright lights of Croke Park". Cian Reilly (Eanna Hardwicke) is the local star GAA player and a local farmer. Cian lives a carefree life as the recently appointed captain of his local team. He constantly argues with his father Diarmaid (Lorcan Cranitch) on the farm. He spends his free time with his friends living a carefree lifestyle of drinking and partying. Everything changes when one night Cian goes to a nightclub and gets assaulted incurring a pretty significant head injury. [1]

Cian tries to ignore initial medical advice and tries to return to playing. He meets Grace (Danielle Galligan) an old school crush who has returned to the town to care for her ailing father. Grace is a nurse in England and she tries to advise Cian. She recommends that he see a specialist when he tells her of headaches and some worrying symptoms. Although Cian is interested in Grace she rebuffs any romantic overtures. Cian is eventually advised by his consultant that he has a severe concussion and it may take months to recover from (or more than likely he may never recover from it).

Ignoring the advice Cian tries to play on but winds up coming to blows with his team mates, friends and coach Bernie (Gary Lydon). At farm he is constantly arguing with Diarmaid, his father though spots spots something is off with his son and employs a helper on the farm who Cian angrily berates. Cian in denial about his injury goes out looking to confront the guys who beat him up but luckily is spotted by the local Garda who drives him home. Grace implores Cian to stop pushing himself and allow himself to heal. Faced with retiring from the sport he loves, he angrily lashes out insulting Grace's father by labelling him an alcoholic.

Grace's father passes away suddenly and Diarmaid encounters his son crying and finally admitting something is wrong. This leads to a reconciliation and Cian starts to accept his lot. Cian apologises to the farm hand. Bernie tries to coax Cian to return to the club and at least try his hand at coaching but Cian decides to make a clean break. Cian then approaches Grace at her father's removal and apologises. At the funeral her boyfriend arrives from England and Cian bids them both goodbye. The next day Cian goes to the club and helps a young player perfect his game giving himself a form of closure. When he returns to the farm Grace turns up and there is a hope that something may happen. She asks him to remain in contact.

Cast

Production

Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard executive produced the film. Principal photography took place on location in Granard, County Longford in late 2021, wrapping at the end of November. [2] The project received support from Creative Ireland, Longford Arts Office, Backstage Theatre, Longford LEO, and Screen Ireland as well as winning the Bankside Films Marketplace Award at the 2021 Galway Film Fleadh back in August. [3]

Release

Wildcard is handling the distribution of the film in Ireland and the UK. It is expected to have a theatrical release. [4] The film premiered the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh. [5] It will have a U.S. screening at the 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. [6]

Reception

Lakelands has received critical acclaim in Ireland and the UK. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100%, based on 16 reviews. [7] [8]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2022 Galway Film Fleadh Best Irish FilmLakelandsWon [9]
Bingham Ray New Talent AwardÉanna Hardwicke and Danielle GalliganWon
2022Kerry Film FestivalBest FilmLakelandsWon [10]
2023 Irish Film & Television Awards Best FilmLakelandsPending [11]
Lead Actor - FilmÉanna HardwickePending
Lead Actress – FilmDanielle GalliganPending
Original MusicDaithiPending
2023Dublin Film Critics' CircleBest Irish FilmLakelandsWon [12]

References

  1. ↑ McCarry, Patrick. "Longford GAA movie explores the tale so many young footballers can relate to". Sports Joe. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ↑ McCarthy, Esther (24 November 2021). "Wildcard lands UK-Ireland rights to small-town GAA drama 'Lakelands' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Longford filmmakers win award for best film project at Galway Film Fleadh". Longford Leader. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  4. ↑ Corr, Julieanne (1 December 2021). "Lakelands: Gaelic football film aims to score in cinemas". The Times. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Irish films to receive world premieres at Galway Fleadh". RTÉ. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Walsh, Alan (19 January 2023). "Award winning Longford GAA film 'Lakelands' set for United States premiere". Longford Leader. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Lakelands (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "Lakelands | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Abbatescianni, Davide (11 July 2022). "The Galway Film Fleadh announces its award winners". CinEuropa. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  10. ↑ http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4294625&tpl=archnews&force=1
  11. ↑ "2023 IFTA NOMINEES ANNOUNCED". Irish Film & Television Awards . Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Best films of 2023: Irish critics name their favourites". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
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