Film Review: Christy is a fitting tribute to Cork's northside
Directed by Brendan Canty with Alan O’Gorman as the screenwriter, , which premiered at the iconic Berlin Film Festival, is a must-see for all film fans, but particularly Corkonians who will relish the chance to see the northside in all its glory.
The film follows Christy (Danny Power), a 17-year-old in the foster care system since he was a small child.
He doesn’t have many memories of his time with his mother and doesn’t really know his older brother Shane (Diarmuid Noyes), but he seems to have managed quite well with his foster family in Ballincollig until a recent violent incident.
Few foster families are willing to take in a 17-year-old, so Christy’s case worker (Ciaran Berminghan) convinces Shane to take him in until another arrangement can be made.
Shane and his partner, Stacey (Emma Willis), recently became parents. Shane is worried that Christy will unsettle his home life, but he doesn’t want Christy to go into a group home, so he agrees to take him in temporarily.
Christy is a quiet, contemplative lad, but settling in is hard; luckily, many local kids welcome him and want to help him get to know the area he left as a young child.
Many of the younger actors are played by members of Knocknaheeny’s music hub, the Kabin Studio. They are scene-stealers and full of joy and devilment.
As Christy tries to navigate his new life, Shane encourages him to come to work with him as a painter, where he meets the daft but affable Trevor (Chris Walley), and where he begins to realise that his true calling might lie in cutting hair, just like his mother.
Christy is faced with a dilemma when his cousins offer him an opportunity that will forever drive a wedge between him and Shane.
It makes it real because even if we did get their full stories, it would be their stories tinted by trauma and grief.
The truth is a muddled thing; we don’t need to get bogged down in the finer details to understand that these two lads went through tough times.
While certainly fits the social realism remit, it doesn’t tread into Ken Loach territory, where things are often unimaginably bleak. There is much joy in this film.
There is an acknowledgement that life isn’t always easy and that money might be tight, but there is immense community spirit and a strong sense of togetherness.
The cast is solid, from big names like Walley and Allison Oliver, who bring their A-game to relatively minor roles, to the Kabin kids, who are a fantastic bunch of actors.
Jamie Forde is particularly charismatic, giving a real star turn as the mouthy but good-hearted Robot.
Noyes does an excellent job of making us understand his character. When Shane is initially reluctant to have Christy under his roof, he could have come across as cold and cruel, but Shane isn’t acting out of spite towards his younger brother; he is acting out of fear that his carefully balanced world might be toppled.
After years in the care system, he has something good: a family, a life. He is afraid to lose it, and Noyes allows us to see the fear simmering underneath his bluster.
As for the film’s lead, Power is a remarkable, assured young actor who is not afraid to be still or to let silence speak for him.
His naturalistic style will make the audience forget that they are watching a film, and question whether there is a documentary crew hanging around.
We saw him give a great turn in The Young Offenders, but this is career-making stuff.
is a triple treat: it features outstanding performances, an abundant heart, and a strong feel-good factor despite its underlying foster care narrative.
Cork cinemagoers, get out and support this heartfelt tribute to your city.
, in cinemas, Aug 29, cert 15a, ****
