After more than a century of Irish contributions to the film industry and with Ireland’s significant influence on the global horror genre – most notably through the creation of Halloween—“An Taibhse” has made history as the first horror film produced entirely in the Irish language. Its release marks a new chapter in cinema, celebrating and preserving the Irish language while delivering a culturally resonant horror experience to audiences worldwide.
SYNOPSIS
“An Taibhse” unfolds in the bleak landscape of post-famine Ireland, exploring the profound hardships faced by its people. The narrative centers around Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill), who take on the task of maintaining a remote Georgian mansion through the harsh winter. What begins as a seemingly tranquil responsibility soon spirals into terror as they encounter inexplicable phenomena. The film delves into the depths of human resilience amidst unspeakable horror, offering a nuanced portrayal of survival and the complex mechanisms through which the mind adapts to protect itself.
A Landmark in the Evolution of Irish Cinema
The preservation and promotion of the Irish language have taken a significant step forward with “An Taibhse.” This milestone underscores the growing recognition of the Irish language in cinema, following the success of “An Cailín Ciúin,” the first Irish-language feature nominated for an Academy Award. Films like these are crucial for revitalizing the language and ensuring its relevance in modern culture. The release of “An Taibhse” highlights the importance of preserving Ireland’s linguistic heritage while expanding the scope of Irish-language cinema globally.
The Team
John Farrelly – Writer and Director
John Farrelly is an award-winning Irish filmmaker. At the age of 17, he was named ‘Ireland’s Best Young Filmmaker’ for his acclaimed short film, “Choice.” Demonstrating his versatility and ambition, John took on the challenging task of creating his debut feature film, “The Sleep Experiment,” in his final years of school. The film resonated deeply with audiences, earning the prestigious Jury Prize at the LA Horror Film Festival, and is available to stream on all major streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
John continued to break new ground by writing and directing “An Taibhse” (The Ghost), the first Irish language horror feature ever made. Additionally, he created the award-winning Irish language short film “Different,” which is now being developed into a full-length feature, further showcasing his dedication to promoting Irish culture through cinema.
Jim Sheridan – Executive Producer
Jim Sheridan is Ireland’s best-known and most successful film director & and producer. He has received six Academy Award nominations. He has collaborated with the actor Daniel Day-Lewis on three films; “My Left Foot,” “The Boxer” and “In The Name of The Father.” He also directed acclaimed films “In America,” “Brothers,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and “The Secret Scripture.” His films have won two Academy Awards, sixteen Academy Award nominations, and numerous international awards.
Film Festivals
“An Taibhse” Premieres to Sold-Out Crowd at the Galway Film Fleadh
“An Taibhse” wowed audiences with a sold-out screening at the Galway Film Fleadh. During the Q&A session, one audience member stated that “they had come to watch the first Irish-language horror film but weren’t expecting to see one of the best films they’d ever seen.”
“An Taibhse” Set for International Premiere at London’s Leicester Square FRIGHTFEST
“An Taibhse” will continue its festival run at FRIGHTFEST, the UK’s largest horror film festival. The film will have its international premiere in the 800-seater Ocean Screen 1 at Leicester Square on Friday, August 23rd. Frightfest is hailed as one of the most prestigious horror film festivals in the world and dubbed the “Woodstock of gore” by Guillermo del Toro, FrightFest is renowned for showcasing genre-defining films like “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Descent,” “Kill List,” and “The Babadook.”
Director’s Statement
Being the first Irish language horror film, “An Taibhse” holds a special place for us in terms of both the genre and our culture. We made this film on a modest budget with a small, dedicated team, and we stayed true to the Irish language throughout.
The journey from the initial idea to preparing for festival premieres worldwide has been tough but very rewarding. From the challenges of pre-production to filming in the freezing winter, every step tested our limits. Despite these hardships, we poured our hearts into this project and are immensely proud of what we’ve created.
It’s an honor to share “An Taibhse” with audiences worldwide. This film shows the power and richness of our language and the strength of the human spirit in the face of horror. We are proud to have made an Irish language feature film and are excited to see more and more Irish language films being produced. The film delves into very difficult subjects and themes, inspired by a true story of someone close to me who went through what our protagonist, Máire, experiences. I hope the theme resonates with audiences, emphasizing hope and the importance of standing up against evil and wrongdoing.
