British and Irish Film Festival returns to Whitianga with captivating new line up

For two weeks Whitianga will join the nationwide festival and will be showcasing cinematic icons with an incredible selection of British and Irish films. This festival returns after the success of the inaugural Whitianga festival held last year. 

We were thrilled when Whitianga audiences embraced the selection of British and Irish Film Festival films we screened last year. We are just so excited to be able to bring the full festival selection back this year with a whopping 25 films, including all the best actors and genres that British and Irish films have to offer. 

Anne-Maree McDougall - Owner Mercury Twin Cinemas

Quality Titles and Stars for British & Irish film festival

The festival showcases an excellent variety of film genres that will not disappoint. Kicking things off on opening night is Conclave starring Ralph Feines . The film is based on the international best-seller by Robert Harris, and centres on Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope.

The festival will also present official selections from the Toronto International Film Festival - including 'Widow Cliquot'. Based on the New York Times best-selling biography, Widow Clicquot tells the true story of the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (Haley Bennett, Cyrano) who, at the age of 20, became Madame Clicquot after marrying the scion of a winemaking family.

Straight from the red carpet as part of the selection for the Festival de Cannes, ‘Firebrand’ is a film directed by Karim Ainouz which is set in blood-soaked Tudor England, Katherine Parr (Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander), the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII (Jude Law), is named Regent while tyrant Henry is fighting overseas.

And, for documentary lovers the festival covers the stories of popular culture legends including Powell and Pressburger films, fashion designer John Galliano and bands The Rolling Stones and Blur. 

Film Festival programme announced - Tickets available now

Tickets and full details about each movie are available from Mercury Twin Cinemas. The following films will be showing:

Conclave

From Oscar-winning director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), Conclave is a riveting religious thriller that follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope.

Widow Clicquot

Based on the New York Times best-selling biography, Widow Clicquot is a visually impressive tale of resilience that leaves a pleasing aftertaste on the palette.

Timestalker

The hilariously inventive Timestalker is a romantic comedy about the eternal humiliation that is the search for love, spanning the most romantic epochs of history right into the future.

Tarrac

Aoife Ni Bhraoin (Kelly Gough, Broadchurch) returns home to help her father Brendan ‘The Bear’ O’Briain (Lorcan Cranitch, Róise & Frank) in his recovery from a heart attack.

The Stones and Brian Jones

Nick Broomfield’s engrossing new documentary The Stones and Brian Jones uncovers the true story and legacy of Brian Jones, the founder and creative genius of The Rolling Stones.

American Star

Ian McShane brings his brooding star power and presence to this gritty, intelligent and entertaining action thriller.

Firebrand

King Henry VIII's sixth wife Katherine has done everything she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs. On Henry's return from war, she finds herself fighting for her own survival as conspiracy spreads through the palace. Everyone holds their breath; for the queen to slip up, and for Henry to take her head like his wives before.

Four Letters of Love

Nicholas (Fionn O’Shea, Normal People) and Isabel (Ann Skelly, Vikings) are made for each other, but fate does not always choose the easiest path to true love. As destiny pulls them together, so do family, passion, and faith drive them apart.

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger

Martin Scorsese first encountered the films of Powell and Pressburger when he was a child, sitting in front of the family TV. When their famous logo came up on screen, Scorsese says, "You knew you were in for fantasy, wonder, magic - real film magic." Now, in this documentary, he tells the story of his lifelong love-affair with their movies. 

The Return

Reunited for the first time since The English Patient, Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche star in this gritty retelling of Odysseus' return home from war.

We Live in Time

Oscar nominees Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh deliver beautifully nuanced performances in this creatively structured romance drama from BAFTA-winning director John Crowley (Brooklyn, The Goldfinch).

Lies we Tell

The daunting, rambling estate of Knowl is no home for a young woman on her own, and certainly not for Maud (Agnes O’Casey, The Miracle Club) - just 18 years old. Freshly burdened with the sudden death of her father, and granted inheritance to his entire estate when she comes of age at 21, Maud is alone, unschooled in the ways of society, and vulnerable. The wolves begin to circle…

The Problem People

The Problem with People, set in beautifully lush Irish countryside, is a heartwarming comedy about family, world peace... and sheep.

The Salt Path

Based on the Sunday Times best-seller by Raynor Winn, The Salt Path is the profound true story of husband and wife, Raynor (Gillian Anderson) and Moth (Jason Isaacs) Winn’s 630 mile trek along the beautiful but rugged English coast, from Dorset to Somerset.

Chuck Chuck Baby

Chuck Chuck Baby is a film of love, loss and music set amongst the falling feathers of a chicken factory.

The Radleys

Based on the best-selling novel by Matt Haig, and co-written by comedian Jo Brand, The Radleys is a scarily relatable black comedy with a bite.The Radleys are an ordinary family, or at least that’s what the neighbours think. No one would suspect that behind all of this, the Radleys hold a dark secret… they are vampires.

Wilding

Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling memoir by the same name, the visually stunning documentary Wilding tells the story of a young couple that bets on nature for the future of their failing, 400-year-old estate.

Bird

Renowned English filmmaker Andrea Arnold (Wuthering Heights, American Honey) marries fantasy and reality in this moving coming-of-age tale.

Poison

Based on the acclaimed play by Lot Vekemans, Poison follows estranged couple Lucas (Tim Roth, Pulp Fiction) and Edith (Trine Dyrholm, Mary & George), who haven't seen each other in ten years.

High & Low: John Galliano

Directed by Academy-Award winner Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), High & Low - John Galliano delves into the captivating and complex life of the flamboyant and iconoclastic head designer at Dior, John Galliano, who soared to unimaginable heights before experiencing a public downfall that shattered his career.

blur: To the End

This revealing documentary follows the unique relationship of four friends - and bandmates of three decades - as they came together in early 2023 to record new songs ahead of their sold-out, first ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium. Featuring performances of their most iconic songs, footage of the band in the studio and life on the road, blur: To the End is an intimate moment in time with this most enduring of English bands, who have been at the heart of British culture for over three decades.

blur: Live at Wembley Stadium

Once you’ve seen the documentary, you can't miss the concert! blur: Live at Wembley Stadium is a cinematic two-hour concert film, immortalising their historic 2023 show. This unforgettable performance saw blur perform their iconic and much-loved songs for 150,000 fans in a transcendent, once-in-a-generation performance that delivered a sweep of ecstatic 5 star reviews. This is your chance to see the epic reunion of the best of Britpop on the big screen.

Merchant Ivory

Merchant Ivory is the first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory (Oscar-winning writer of Call Me By Your Name), and producer Ismail Merchant.

Howards End

Nominated for nine Oscars and winning three at the 1993 Academy Awards, this dazzling adaptation of E.M. Forster’s novel has cemented itself as a classic of the genre. Set in Edwardian England, class distinctions and troubled relations affect the relationships between two families and the ownership of a cherished British estate known as Howards End. Returning to cinemas for this year’s Festival, now is your chance to see this acclaimed masterwork on the big screen, newly restored in 4K.

Remains of the Day

In 1993, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson reunited with the acclaimed Merchant Ivory filmmaking team for this extraordinary and moving story of blind devotion and repressed love. Based on the best-selling novel by Novel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, the film follows head butler Stevens (Hopkins), whose world of manners and decorum is tested by the arrival of housekeeper Miss Kenton (Thompson). A smart, elegant continuation of the Merchant ivory cinematic celebration - restored in 4K.