The Irish Film Institute moved into its present Temple Bar location in September 1992 and, to celebrate 20 years in that spot, the organisation will be hosting a month of special events. The jamboree kicks off tomorrow with a screening of Stephen Gyllenhaal’s Waterland. Why’s that? Well, the adaptation of Graham Swift’s spooky novel is remarkable for a number of reasons. It is one of the few theatrical features directed by Jake and Maggie’s dad, and it was the first film ever to screen at the current IFI.
Jeremy Irons and Sinéad Cusack, the husband and wife team who starred in Waterland, will be in the cinema to chat with the audience and reminisce about IFI lore. Tomorrow, all tea and coffee will be at 1992 prices, there will be a table quiz, and the first 20 people through the doors born in 1992 will be given free IFI membership.
A season of films representing the scope of the IFI’s programming is to run throughout the month. Films to be unspooled include The Crying Game, Spirited Away, Vertigo and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Ross Keane, the IFI’s director, comments: “The IFI’s home in Temple Bar is all about the people who come here to engage with our extensive programme, so when we started to plan our anniversary celebrations, we quickly decided that we wanted the focus to be on our audience.”
