Guaranteed to spark conversations
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In today's newsletter we highlight some incredible documentaries. With subject matters as diverse as the Irish famine, to a woman who almost changed the course of history, to working as an artist in the newly independent Ireland, to a global discussion that highlights the diversity and complexity of humanity, this year's documentaries are once again insightful, eye-opening, thought-provoking, informative and guaranteed conversation starters.
We also give a big 'shout-out' to our festival sponsors from the hospitality industry who, as you know, have had a difficult year and now that indoor dining is allowed again in Chicago, we encourage you to give them your business, if you can.
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Olwen Fouéré as Violet Gibson
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VIOLET GIBSON: THE IRISH WOMAN WHO SHOT MUSSOLINI (2020)
Director: Barrie Dowdall
Writers: Barrie Dowdall, Siobhán Lynam
Cast: Olwen Fouéré, Paraic Cullen, Susan Barrett, Laura Kelly
The extraordinary true story of the Irish woman who shot Mussolini.
In 1926, Violet Gibson, daughter of the Lord Chancellor to Ireland, pushed her way through a fascist mob and shot Italian dictator Benito Mussolini at point-blank range. Il Duce’s only injury was to his nose. The film looks at how Violet almost changed the course of history and the enormous personal price she paid.
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WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? (2021)
Director & Producer: Matthew Nevin
Director Matthew Nevin traveled the world over a ten-year period asking people across 203 sovereign nations to imagine their futures, and the answers more than surprise, reflecting the extraordinary differences in cultures, geographic locations and economic opportunities.
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THE HUNGER (2020)
Dir. Ruan Magan
Narrator : Liam Neeson
This deeply moving and engaging documentary looks at how the famine affected Ireland at the time and how it still affects Ireland today. It brings to life not only the suffering of the Irish people by the political maneuvers of London, but also the reaction of France and the United States to the situation.
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A CALL TO ARTS (2020)
Director: Christopher Kepple
The life and artistic legacy of an extraordinary couple, the Connecticut-born artist Helen Hooker and her husband, Irish revolutionary and historian Ernie O’Malley, is explored by their son Cormac O’Malley. The couple made major contributions to a modernist arts scene in a newly independent Ireland in the 1930s and ‘40s: she was involved in sculpture, theatre and photography; while he made a living as an author, writing extensively about his role in the Irish War of independence and Civil War. Cormac interviews historians, arts commentators and people who knew his parents, to discover the political and cultural impact of their endeavours.
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Check out our Film Guide, explore the breadth of films and film shorts, make your viewing plan and buy your tickets here! Once the festival opens on the evening of Thursday March 4, all the films will be available on-demand to view any time during the March 4 - 8 window.
And remember, our All-Access passes, All-Shorts passes and 3 film & 5 film packages are discounted by 10% up until the end of February.
Until next time, stay safe and stay warm!
Slán go fóill,
Team CIFF
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Thank you to our 2021 Cultural Sponsors
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