Irish Film Festival

This month, the Baton Rouge Irish Club kicks off the city’s first film festival dedicated to the “land of Saints and Scholars.” Just days before James Joyce’s celebrated Bloomsday, the Manship Theatre plays host to a full day of events on Saturday, June 13. In addition to Irish dancers, live music, food and drinks, three feature films and several shorts will screen from 12:30 to 10 p.m.

Critically acclaimed dramas The Wind That Shakes the Barley and In America top the bill.

“I don’t think there’s a person on earth who hasn’t been affected by a movie,” says Phil Brady, one of the festival’s organizers. “What better way to learn about other cultures than through the movies?”

After having a blast at this year’s Jewish Film Festival, Brady says, he knew an Irish version was a natural progression for his club. “Manship is the perfect place for it, because it’s just like a theater in New York: first class, and you can see indie movies for just a couple bucks.”

Set in 1920, Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley stars Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney as brothers fighting against the British and their allies for independence. The film won the 2006 Palme d’Or, top honors at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nominated for three Oscars, Jim Sheridan’s 2002 film In America stars Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou in the story of an Irish immigrant family struggling to adjust to life in the United States.

Tickets are $8.50 for each feature film. For complete details visit manshiptheatre.org.