Kathleen Is Here
| Kathleen Is Here | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Eva Birthistle |
| Screenplay by | Eva Birthistle |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
Production company |
|
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
Kathleen Is Here is a 2024 Irish film directed by Eva Birthistle and starring Hazel Doupe. It is a follow-up to the 2020 short film Kathleen Was Here. It received seven nominations at the Irish Film and Television Awards.
Premise
[edit]Kathleen has aged out of foster care but after her mother dies returns to her hometown to live in her family home.[1]
Cast
[edit]- Hazel Doupe as Kathleen
- Clare Dunne as Dee
- Peter Coonan as Rory
- Aaron Monaghan as Damian
- Liadán Dunlea as Yvonne
Production
[edit]The film is directed by Eva Birthistle in her feature length debut, and is a follow-up to her 10 minute short film Kathleen Was Here from 2020.[2] Birthistle decribes the project as a "labour of love" that lasted ten years. It is produced by Claire McCaughley for Treasure Entertainment with backing from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.[3]
Principal photography took place in Balbriggan, a coastal town near Dublin.[4]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in June 2024.[5] The film had a theatrical release in Ireland on 18 October 2024.[6]
Reception
[edit]Harry Guerin for RTE described it as a "well-told small story that asks a lot of big questions" and among the most compelling domestic offerings of 2024".[7]
It received seven nominations at the Irish Film and Television Awards in January 2025 including Best Film, Best Director and Best Script and acting nominations for Doupe, Dunne and Coonan.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hazel Doupe on looking into the soul of viewers". The Book of Man. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (October 14, 2024). "Kathleen Is Here review – cuckoo-in-the-nest drama-thriller has a properly nailbiting ending". The Guardian. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "New Irish film KATHLEEN IS HERE has Newry debut 18 October". Newry.ie. October 13, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Tabbarra, Mona (June 19, 2024). "Eva Birthistle on her directorial debut, Ken Loach's support and the future of 'Bad Sisters'". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Wilkinson, Amber (June 24, 2024). "Kathleen is Here review". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "Trailer released for upcoming Irish film Kathleen Is Here". Hot Press. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Guerin, Harry (October 18, 2024). "Eva Birthistle turns director with Kathleen Is Here - a tough film that's worth seeing". RTE. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "Kneecap and Say Nothing lead IFTA Awards nominations". RTE. January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.