Acting heavyweights Brendan Gleeson and John Hurt kick off the JDIFF

The premier of dark comic thriller Calvary impresses audience

Writer-director John Michael McDonagh, Brendan Gleeson, John Hurt, Aidan Gillen and Marie-Josée Croze were among cinemagoers at the Savoy on Thursday night for the Irish premiere of Calvary. Video: Kathleen Harris

Acting legends Brendan Gleeson and John Hurt walked the red carpet in Dublin to kick off the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) last night.

The Calvary, a film by John Michael McDonagh who also directed The Guard, premiered at the Savoy cinema to open the 12th annual film festival.

Stars of the dark comic thriller showed up to celebrate the launch including Dylan Moran, Aidan Gillan, Marie Josee Crozee and Domhnall Gleeson.

John Hurt at the Savoy cinema at the opening night. Photograph: Brian McEvoy
John Hurt at the Savoy cinema at the opening night. Photograph: Brian McEvoy
Jillian Scott (Love/Hate), Calvary director John Michael McDonagh and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) stand together on the red carpet. Photograph: Brian McEvoy
Jillian Scott (Love/Hate), Calvary director John Michael McDonagh and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) stand together on the red carpet. Photograph: Brian McEvoy

Gleeson stars as Father James, a priest who has a week to put his affairs in order after being told he is marked for murder during a confession.

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Festival director Gráinne Humphreys said the film was perfect to launch the 11 day festival.

“Calvary is a real celebration of the best Irish cinema and it’s a genuine honour to have so many people involved with the film come out to support it at our Opening Gala,” she said.

More than 130 films will screen in the festival this year that will finish on February 23rd.

The programme can be found in www.jdiff.com

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is Digital Features Editor and journalist with The Irish Times