Day-Lewis the star attraction at Dublin film festival
Oscars-nominated Daniel Day-Lewis is among the big screen stars turning out at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival, it was revealed tonight.
The actor will attend a gala screening of critically-acclaimed movie 'There Will be Blood' for which he has already scooped a clutch of prestigious awards for his portrayal as a ruthless oil baron.
The British-born film legend – who has Irish citizenship and lives in Co Wicklow – is best known for his electrifying performances in 'My Left Foot', 'In The Name of the Father' and 'The Boxer'.
Other Irish favourites Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson as well as writer and director Martin McDonagh are also on the guest list for the week-long festival boasting the European premiere of U2’s long-awaited 3D film 'U23D'.
Grainne Humphreys, festival director, said she was honoured to be welcoming a stunning array of talent to the extravaganza during her first year in charge.
“Dublin has the best cinema-going audience in the world and to be able to reward them with such riches is a real honour,” she said
“I’m sure they will respond with characteristic gusto and inquisitiveness to these 100 – plus films and their brilliant guests.”
More than 40,000 film-goers are expected at the 6th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival which runs over ten days from February 15 to 24.
As well as gala screenings of 'There Will be Blood', 'U23D' and 'In Bruges' there will a series of films exploring the links between music and film among the mix of World, European and Irish premieres.
These will include documentaries and features on Joy Division, Maria Callas, Liam O’Maonlai and the silent classic 'Pandora’s Box'.
Jayne Wisener, the Coleraine actress starring opposite Johnny Depp in the recent hit 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' and actor Pat Shortt, star of independent Irish film 'Garage', officially launched the programme tonight at The Button Factory in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
This year’s festival will see Dublin itself taking centre stage with a series of outdoor screenings celebrating its use as a film location and panel discussions exploring the history of city’s cinemas.
