Barry Keoghan
#TIFF24: “BIRD” REVIEW
By Nicholas Porteous
Bailey, a lonely English girl, searches for an escape from her dysfunctional family existence in Andrea Arnold‘s Bird. One windy day on a hillside, she encounters a stranger–the titular Bird--who gives her a moment of much-needed, friendly attention. Bird (Franz Rogowski) is a man of few words, but that moment is enough to spark a unique partnership, shaking the foundations of both of their worlds. Bird is very much of a piece with Arnold‘s masterpiece American Honey. Both are fly-on-the-wall, naturalistic glimpses into the lives of the less fortunate, both engage with toxic relationships and newfound families, and both feature sprawling, unconventional narratives with loose ends and scores of characters that often feel too real to be acted. So why is Bird the far less compelling of the two?
For one, Bailey simply doesn’t have as much to offer as a main character. She’s more of a prism, reflecting the pain and injustices of her world. There’s also much less ambiguity when it comes to the ‘bad guys’ this time around. Barry Keoghan does a solid job bringing depth to his troubling father Bug, but Skate (James Nelson Joyce) feels tailor-made to bring as much unnecessary pain and unprovoked confrontation into every moment he’s on screen. It’s a cheap characterization that drives all too much of Bird‘s story.Bird also chooses to sidestep some violence, converting it into fantastical imagery in a way that I found questionable. Why shy away from the brutal reality? What is this imaginary escape in service of? I left Bird with even more appreciation for American Honey than I had before, because it shows how difficult it truly is to make this kind of movie feel effortless and unsentimental. Bird‘s wholehearted attempts at exploring three-dimensional characters and their traumas, while using basically the same techniques as Honey, feel so much more mushy and muddled.
Bird screens at TIFF ’24:
Saturday, September 7th at 3:00 PM at TIFF Lightbox
Sunday, September 8th at 11:45 AM at TIFF Lightbox
Friday, September 13th at 9:45 AM at Scotiabank Theatre
#FIRSTLOOK: TIFF ’24 SELECTION “BIRD” IN THEATRES NOVEMBER 8, 2024
MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company, is pleased to announce that Andrea Arnold’s (American Honey, Fish Tank, Cow) latest feature film Bird, will open theatrically in Canada on November 8, 2024, following its Canadian premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Bird, written and directed by Academy-Award® winner Andrea Arnold, received its World Premiere in Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Starring BAFTA-winner and Academy-Award® nominee Barry Keoghan (Banshees of Inisherin, Saltburn), Gotham-Award nominee Franz Rogowski (Passages, Great Freedom, Transit), and newcomers Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda, Bird is produced by House Productions (The Iron Claw, The Wonder) and was filmed in the UK around the Kent area. As with Arnold’s previous work, it is an examination of life in the fringes of society. Financiers include BBC Film, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Pinky Promise, FirstGen Content and Access Entertainment.
12-year-old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time for his kids and Bailey who is approaching puberty seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.
BIRD WILL BE IN THEATRES IN CANADA ON NOVEMBER 8
ASSETS AVAILABLE HERE
For further information please contact:
Daniel Pansino
mubi@touchwoodpr.com
About MUBI
MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.
MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.
Some recent and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary High & Low — John Galliano, Rodrigo Moreno’s The Delinquents, Felipe Gálvez’s The Settlers, Aftersun from Charlotte Wells, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.
MUBI Productions include Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebushpruning starring Kristen Stewart, Josh O’Connor and Elle Fanning, Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches, Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Zia Anger’s My First Film starring Odessa Young and Devon Ross. MUBI Co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabba, Michel Franco’s Memory starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning starring Léa Seydoux, Ekwa Msangi’s Sundance prize-winner Farewell Amor and Rachel Lang’s Our Men.
Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers, anywhere. Available across 190 countries, with more than 16 million members around the world. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.
Subscription plans are $14.99 a month or $119.88 for 12 months, or $19.99 a month or $167.88 for 12 months to include MUBI GO. MUBI is available on the web, Roku devices, Apple Vision Pro, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, as well as on mobile devices including iPad, iPhone and Android.
#FIRSTLOOK: “BRING THEM DOWN” TO PREMIERE AT TIFF ’24
MUBI, the global streaming service, film distributor, and production company, has released new stills for Christopher Andrews’ gripping debut feature and MUBI Production Bring Them Down. Starring Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, Sanctuary, Possessor) and Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisheerin, Eternals), Bring Them Down is a suspenseful thriller that observes the escalating tensions of two farming families in the west of Ireland, whose actions have increasingly devastating consequences. The film will receive its World Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival in the Special Presentation section. MUBI will release the film in North America, the UK & Ireland, Benelux, LATAM and Turkey.
Written and directed by Christopher Andrews, Bring Them Down stars Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan, Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready and Susan Lynch. Produced by Ivana MacKinnon, Jacob Swan Hyam, Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, Jean-Yves Roubin, Cassandre Warnauts. Executive Produced by Efe Çakarel, Jason Ropell, Bobby Allen, Niamh Fagan, Celine Haddad, Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan. Carla MacKinnon and Julie Harkin are Associate Producers.
Bring Them Down was produced by Tailored, Wild Swim and MUBI, and co-produced by Frakas Productions, VOO et Be tv and Shelter Prod in association with Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, RTÉ and the UK Global Screen Fund – financed by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI. Charades are handling international sales for the title.
SYNOPSIS
Michael, the last son of a shepherding family, lives with his ailing father, Ray. Burdened by guilt over the death of his mother, Michael has isolated himself from the world. When a conflict with rival farmer Gary and his son Jack escalates, Michael is drawn into a devastating chain of events, forcing him to confront the horrors of his past and leaving both families permanently altered.
DIRECTORS’ BIO
Chris’ previous shorts include BAFTA longlisted FIRE and STALKER, which premiered at Edinburgh IFF 2019 and won the Cork Grand Prix. He was also named as a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2019.
Chris is also a prolific writer, and current projects include the script of upcoming period thriller CAVENDISH for Ivana MacKinnon and Emily Leo of Wild Swim Films, to be directed by Augustine Frizzell, and an adaptation of Man Booker Prize nominated FRANKENSTEIN IN BAGHDAD. In television, he is developing original projects with Hera Pictures, Severn Screen and 60/40, as well as adapting Andrew Michael Hurley’s DEVIL’S DAY for The Ink Factory and Range Media.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “SALTBURN”
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto and Montreal a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of SALTBURN.
Screenings take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM.
SYNOPSIS
Welcome to Saltburn. Written & directed by Academy Award Winner Emerald Fennell and in theatres November 22, 2023.
Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this from our “X” account for an extra chance.
Enter for a chance to win Advance Passes to see SALTBURN in Toronto and Montreal.https://t.co/nvQq2E2Yeb pic.twitter.com/4qun3rmHDn
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) October 31, 2023
Rules and regulations here.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release SALTBURN November 22, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SALTBURN”
Emerald Fennell who gave us her genius in PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, is back with SALTBURN. Today we get a new Trailer.
Synopsis:
Written & directed by Academy Award Winner Emerald Fennell
Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SALTBURN”
Barry Keoghan stars in SALTBURN coming to theatres this December. Today we get a new Trailer!
Details:
Written and Directed by Emerald Fennell
Produced by Emerald Fennell, p.g.a; Margot Robbie, p.g.a; Josey McNamara, p.g.a
Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, and Carey Mulligan
Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
Amazon MGM Studios and MRC present SALTBURN
Distributed in theatres in Canada by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 1, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN”
A new Trailer has arrived for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN reuniting Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, and premiering at TIFF ’22!
Synopsis:
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.
Searchlight Pictures release THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN October 21, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)
#TIFF19: DAY FOUR – TOM HANKS, JENNIFER LOPEZ, EDDIE MURPHY, MATT DAMON, CHRISTIAN BALE, JULIA STILES, CYNTHIA ERIVO, BARRY KEOGHAN, CHRIS COOPER + MORE
As if our TIFF ’19 couldn’t be any more explosive, it just did! A bit saddened we missed Leonardo DiCaprio at the Premiere of ICE ON FIRE amidst all the bustle, but we can’t complain!
Ladies and gentlemen, I died when I met Leonardo Dicaprio today! I had my #OnceUponATimeInHollywood Rick Dalton shirt on and he loved it (there he is checking it out in the pic) #Tiff19 pic.twitter.com/DHu7zYmN8R
— MeLiSsA dACrUz ‼TIFF‼ (@MelissaDacruzz) September 8, 2019
Congrats Tina, Cindy + Melissa!
See our day three sightings!
Hover cursor right to navigate each album.
HARRIET – Press Stop
OUR ZOE – Press Stop
BEGINNINGS, ENDINGS – Press Stop
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#TIFF19: #JamieDornan x #ShaileneWoodley at #TIFF for #EndingsBeginnings. #HuaweiP30Pro
AMERICAN SON – Press Stop
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME – Press Stop
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#TIFF19: Comedy legend #EddieMurphy at #TIFF with #DolemiteismyName! #HuaweiP30Pro
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – Press Stop
HUSTLERS – Press Stop
FORD v. FERRARI – Press Stop
THE GOLDFINCH – Afterparty/strong>
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “AMERICAN ANIMALS”
After making a splash at Sundance, AMERICAN ANIMALS now will get an official release.
SYNOPSIS:
American Animals is the extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends who brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in U.S. history. Centering on unpredictable wild child Warren (Evan Peters) and aspiring artist Spencer (Barry Keoghan), two friends from the middle-class suburbs of Lexington, Kentucky, the film follows the duo through college life at separate universities, as adult pressures begin to weigh heavily on their futures. Realizing their lives may never be important, they organize the brazen theft of some valuable books from the special collections library of Spencer‘s college, including Audubon’s Birds of America, valued at $10 million. Enlisting two more friends, budding accountant Eric (Jared Abrahamson) and fitness fanatic Chas (Blake Jenner), the gang meticulously plots the theft and subsequent fence of the stolen volumes, taking cues from popular heist movies. But the thieves’ plans go awry, placing their bright futures in limbo. Unfolding from multiple perspectives, writer-director Bart Layton (The Imposter) elevates the heist movie to bold and thrilling new heights.
See the Trailer:
The Orchard release AMERICAN ANIMALS June 2018. More to come.
(Photo/video credit: The Orchard)
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