#it's the BUCKLEY FAMILY secret for a reason folks | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

epicbuddieficrecs · 1 month

Text

Weekly Recap | March 18th-24th 2024

It's a long one today folks! I hope you enjoy! :) If you know anyone who's not tagged, don't hesitate to let me know!

idk 'bout you but I can't wait for the final part of the premiere on Thursday!!! 😃

Complete

anything that is beautiful, people want to break. by dylaesthetics (Post-Coma, Trans Buck | 3K | Teen): Buck has never meant to keep it a secret from the one-eighteen. Hell, he trusts them with much more gritty, uncomfortable stuff than that. It’s more like… It hasn’t come up. There’s been no reason for it to come up. But then he gets struck by lightning and the mix-up with his medical records happens. A nurse he hasn’t seen yet barges into Buck’s hospital room, with his entire family in it, blood and found alike, and stares at him for one dumbfounded moment before blurting out a name he hasn’t been addressed by in well over eight years.

not flesh and blood but the heart by Jinko / @jinkohhh (Post-S6, Getting Together | 10K | Explicit): Five times people assumed Chris was Buck's son + one time Eddie confirmed it.

🔥 don’t wanna let you love somebody else but me by fleetinghearts/ @shitouttabuck (S7 Spec, Bachelor Party, Pretend Relationship | 14K | Teen): or, chris wants dating advice and it turns out taking your best friend on a pretend date to practice being as romantic as possible is not a good idea in theory or in practice, considering the pesky being-in-unrequited-love of it all

A Little Bit of the Bubbly by Jinko/ @jinkohhh (Post-S6, PWP, Getting Together | 7K | Explicit): Since turning 30, Buck's relationship with champagne has changed. It also manages to change his relationship with Eddie.

washed away (but not) by Jinko / @jinkohhh (S7 Spec | 3K | Teen): “Well, this is awkward.” Every part of Buck wanted to tell Chim to go fuck himself, but he couldn’t, so he didn’t. Nothing made a situation more awkward than pointing out the awkwardness of it. “So which one of you two made the deathbed love confession?” Ravi laughed, and frankly, Ravi could go fuck himself, too. The both of them could go fuck themselves because both Chimney and Ravi were correct.

i like the way you scratch my itch by oklahoma/ @sunshinediaz (BTHB: Hives | 3K | Teen): Buck’s big blue eyes sparkle. “You’re so cute, did you know that?” he asks, leaning close enough Eddie can count the small red-brown-orange freckles all across his nose. “Even when you’re red from poison ivy.” Red. Red from the poison ivy. Yeah, yep, that’s exactly what he’s so red for. Absolutely.

meet you in the middle. by dylaesthetics (Getting Together | 2K | Teen): OR buck and eddie get their shit together during a regular friday movie night at the diaz house.

🔥 Even in Winter There is Eranthis by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels / @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Hades/Persephone AU | 45K | Explicit): Buck is supposedly a god. Supposedly. But he's got no idea what his domain is or what role he plays in Olympus. When he meets Christopher, a young boy lost and trying to find his father, he helps Chris get home - and ends up accidentally binding himself to the Underworld. Now bound to Eddie, the god of the dead, Buck must spend half the year with him in the Underworld while winter reigns above. But even as something grows between them, there are still trials to endure. Just because the gods are not mortal... does not mean they cannot die.

🔥 My Blood on Your Skin (My Rose on Your Snow) by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/ @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Mythological AU, BDSM | 80K | Explicit): When Eddie needs cash and fast to take care of Christopher, his LAFD Academy buddy suggests a job as a bouncer at Elysium - an exclusive sex club in downtown Los Angeles. Eddie doesn't care what goes on there, so long as he's paid, but he finds he cares a lot bout the club's enigmatic owner, Evan Buckley, and it's not long before the two of them are violating every boss-employee rule in the book. But there's something different about Buck and the club, something not quite... human. If Eddie wants to keep Buck, he's going to have to delve into the world of immortals, and all the risks that implies.

and check out the amazing podfic!! 🔥 My Blood on Your Skin (My Rose on Your Snow) by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels [Podfic] by Rhea314 (Rhea)/ @rhea314

hold tight, you’re slowly coming back to life by bucksclipboard/ @excuseme-greentea (S7E01 Coda, Getting Together | 3K | Teen): Eddie runs into Natalia at the grocery store. He learns something about her and Buck’s breakup that gives him the final push to take care of his own complicated love life.

🔥 miracles under your sighs and moans by napricot (Sex Pollen, PWP | 21K | Explicit): When Eddie gets exposed to an experimental aphrodisiac on a call, he realizes there’s only one person he trusts to help him get through it: Buck.

Touch Me and I'll Scream by rogerzsteven/ @rogerzsteven (BTHB: Unhealthy Coping Mecanisms, Established Buddie | 5K | Mature): At his low, Buck uses rough sex as a way of self harm.

in another life by bellabrady (Coma AU | 2K | Not Rated): Or: Buck's in a coma and dreams of a life where Daniel never died and he never became a firefighter.

Locations by rogerzsteven/ @rogerzsteven (BTHB: Vomiting, Drowning | 4K | General): In which Buck drowns.

I was born to take care of you by Beulaugh/ @if-music-be-the-food-of-love (Getting Together | 3K | Mature): Buck has a revelation at work and then promptly falls on his face. Eddie Diaz's ass: 1, Evan Buckley: 0

hold the silence. by dylaesthetics (Post-S6 | 3K | Teen): OR while looking for clothes to donate, Buck stumbles upon the shirt he was wearing when Eddie got shot.

Tomorrow we can drive around this town by lamardeuse/ @lamardeuse (S7 Spec, Drunk Eddie | 4K | Mature): If Eddie had been sober, he would have realized it wasn't something to be happy about. But drunk as he was, it had the blood singing in his veins, because Buck was going home with him, not Tommy. Tommy could go fuck himself – or you know, anyone else who was willing, but not Evan Buckley. Because Eddie was a pathetic, sloppy drunk and his best friend had a responsibility to make sure he didn't choke on his own vomit or drown himself in the bathroom sink.

sang to the sea for feelings deep blue by Tizniz/ @tizniz (S7 Spec, Cruise Ship Emergency | 14K | General): God, he hopes Buck got out. That he isn’t trying to get to Eddie. That he gets to go home. And not just because Christopher needs him, although he does since Eddie is fairly certain he’s not making it home this time. He doesn’t let himself dwell too long on that thought. No, Eddie wants Buck to go home because he deserves it. Because Buck deserves to live. Because Eddie needs him to live.

you've got game by browney3dgirl6/ @hoodie-buck (S7E01 Coda, Established Buddie | 1K | General): a silly little late night conversation about chris being a 'ladies man'

take this life and make it yours (take this heart and let it love again) by Maira/ @carrierofthepaperclips (Canon Divergent, Post-Coma | 31K | Mature): Before he could second guess it, he’d dialled Eddie’s number and listened to it ring in his ear. As soon as he heard the click of the connection, he said, “Eddie, what the hell, man?” “I meant what I said. I don’t know who you think you are, but call this number again and I will contact the police.” . . . or, the one where Buck finally figures out he's in love with Eddie, only for things to not go as planned. At first.

if i bleed, you'll be the last to know by heartbeatdiaz/ @loserdiaz (S7, Hurt Buck | 6K | Teen): buck gets stabbed while out on a run and then... doesn't tell anyone about it. eddie loses his shit when he finds out, they have a moment in the kitchen and they kiss.... not necessarily in that order.

Baby, take me by 42hrb / @exhuastedpigeon (S7E01 Coda, Getting Together | 4K | Explicit): “Same thing,” Eddie nuzzled him, stubble scratching even more as he moved his face. When he stopped nuzzling, he pulled back far enough that he could see Buck’s face. “I said stop thinking.” “Kinda hard to turn my brain off.” “Pretty sure I turned it off just fine last night,” Eddie said with a smirk that went straight to Buck’s cock, already half hard just from the way Eddie’s stubble is dragging across his skin. “Is that how I get you to stop thinking?”

when you call me yours by browney3dgirl6/ @hoodie-buck (Established Buddie, Proposal | 5K | General): Buck starts calling Eddie his husband. Only problem...they're not engaged. aka the 5 times Buck refers to Eddie as his husband and the 1 time Eddie makes it true.

just lay back in my arms for one more night by diazbegins/ @evanbegins (Established Buddie, Fluff | 2K | Teen): Buck loves Eddie as he naps.

Brat Burrito by Tizniz/ @tizniz (Established Buddie | 1K | General): Just a cute Buddie moment about breakfast burritos.

it's a sliding into home kind of day by devirnis/ @devirnis (PWP | 3K | Explicit): Eddie’s eyes still don’t leave the television. Frowning to himself, Buck cranes his neck to get a look at what could possibly be more important than him coming home after covering a tragically Eddie-less shift. A baseball game evidently is the answer.

your love is a secret I'm hoping, dreaming, dying to keep by BekkaChaos/ @bekkachaos (New Years Eve, Getting Together | 8K | Teen): aka, Eddie's in love with Buck and he doesn't know how to tell him, until there's a miscommunication and fate (well, Hen) intervenes.

Loose Threads by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Secret Relationship | 3K | Explicit): New to dating and keeping it quiet, Buck and Eddie get a little carried away on a slower shift at the firehouse. But when the alarm eventually sounds, a spur of the moment mistake leaves them a little mixed up.

Married Life by buddiefication (pumpkincreamcoldbrew)/ @911onabc (S5, Getting Together | 2K | General): Taylor films Buck for a TikTok challenge, and Buck finds out he would much rather be his best friend’s husband than his girlfriend’s.

A Seal By Any Other Name (Would Still Be My Best Friend) by bigfootsmom (Seal!Buck, Post-Tsunami | 5K | General): Evan "Buck" Buckley is a collection of oddities. But they're just what makes Buck Buck and Eddie loves him for them. Eddie had thought that after their years of friendship (and maybe something more) that nothing Buck could do would surprise him anymore. But there is one oddity that Eddie never saw coming. “How about you start with why there was a seal in my bathtub and now there’s just you in my bathtub.” (Part 1 of Seal!Buck as in the aquatic mammal)

Just Add Water by bigfootsmom (Seal!Buck, Tsunami | 3K | General): There may be more to Buck than meets the eye. But he's still only human(ish) and getting stuck in a natural disaster with his best friend's son is still all sorts of terrifying. A small hysterical part of his brain thinks about how ironic it would be if this was how he died. Him, a mythical aquatic creature, drowning. The universe would surely laugh and the long line of Buckley ancestors would turn in their graves. (Part 2 of Seal!Buck as in the aquatic mammal)

you can be my daddy (come on, you know you like) by bigfootsmom (Getting Together, Daddy Kink | 4K | Mature): Buck has a teeny tiny problem. One, he's in love with his best friend. Two, he wants to call said best friend Daddy.

It's the softness that breaks you by bigfootsmom (BDSM, Hurt/Comfort | 6K | Explicit): Or the one where Buck has more issues with intimacy than he had originally thought.

lay your love on me by bigfootsmom (PWP, Getting Together | 3K Explicit): Buck never thought the words he said to Eddie in the kitchen would ever come back to haunt him like this. Honestly, he’s not complaining.

you made me feel (i've got nothing to hide) by bigfootsmom (Virgin!Buck, Established Buddie, PWP | 8K | Explicit): Buck has a secret: Contrary to popular belief, Evan "Buck" Buckley is actually a virgin.

WIP

🔥 Right Where You Left Me by hyacinthusbloom/ @thebloomingheather (Canon Divergent, Post-S4, Angst | 22/? | 162K | Explicit | ❗️Warning: Rape/Non-con): "Therapy?" Eddie suggests. Buck almost laughs, but instead says, "I'll go if you go." Because he had fully expected him to be chicken shit, to disagree, and instead Eddie, the bastard, replies, "Deal." Or Buck never tells anyone that he slept with his therapist and deals with the butterfly effect years later.

🔥 Any Other Way by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Canon Divergent, S2 | 6/18 | 37K | Mature): In a switcheroo alternate universe, Buck spends young adulthood in the military, while Eddie, who has no idea Christopher exists, spends his twenties messing around, finally enjoying freedom away from his family’s expectations. When they both end up in Los Angeles, at the 118, some things are different, and others will be the same in any universe.

🔥 Things We're All Too Young to Know by Daisies_and_Briar / @cal-daisies-and-briars (Canon S1-S6, S7 Spec | 122/? | 374K | Mature): This is a love story. Even if it doesn’t always look like it. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it. A look back on Eddie and Buck's lives up to now, and what led them to each other, interpreted from the current 9-1-1 canon.

#buddie #buddie fanfic #buddie fic #buddie fanfiction #buddie fic rec #epic buddie fic rec #911 fanfic #911 fanfiction #911 fic

333 notes · View notes

sporadically-writing · 2 years

Text

Wendy Deakins

A/N: (I have only just started binging Stranger Things so I am very behind. I'm in Season 2 right now so I will update as I continue watching.)

Basics

Full Name: Wendy Ann Deakins

Nickname(s): Wenny, Wendz, Dee Dee, Annie, Darling (because of Peter Pan), Geek, Freak, Grease Monkey

Age: 16 in Season 1 of Stranger Things

Sexual Orientation: Straight Romantic Asexual

Appearance

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Skin Tone: Fair

Eye Color: Hazel

Hair Color: Golden Brown

Hairstyle: Side braided, occasionally messy

Build: She's a small girl, her arms are the only really built things about her, but when you help your mechanic father out, you end up lifting a lot of heavy things

Height: 5' 5"

Style: She typically wears old button down shirts, either with sleeves rolled up or cut short/off. She really likes browns, blacks and oranges. Autumn is her favorite season for a lot of reasons but one of the big ones is the colors. She also wears overalls a lot with one of her dad's old t-shirts or one of her sweaters.

Personality

General Personality Traits: Spirited, Curious, Kind

Strengths: Adroit, Astute, Resourceful

Flaws: Provocable, Can be snide, Competitive

Habits and Mannerisms: When she gets excited about something, she talks really fast, people have to tell her to slow down sometimes. The same happens when she gets nervous; Sometimes she fidgets with her braid, smoothing the end of it down, or running her hand through her hair and messing it up; She rolls her head before getting to work on something; When given a reasonable opportunity, she will sit on a counter with her legs crossed; She constantly does the rubber pencil trick/fiddles with her pencils

Secrets: She doesn't have a great relationship with her mom, that is not a secret but the backstory to it is. Wendy has never really run with the pack so to speak. She's more interested in working with her dad and her biology class than she is with certain other things. Her mom wants her to find a nice boy to settle down with and while Wendy does find certain boys cute every once and a while, she's never really liked them like that if you catch my drift. She also does not really want a nuclear family either. Why should she have to give up her dreams just because society says she should?

Regrets: She regrets not talking things through with her mom, not trying to explain that she doesn't appreciate being compared to other girls her age.

Skills/Talents: Fixing things; Figuring out how things work; Understanding animal behavior; Biology; Hiking; Explaining/Teaching others

Likes: Animals, Feminism, Candy Cigarettes (she thinks they're funny)

Dislikes: Being compared, Animal Cruelty (nature is violent, that's just the way it is but humans shouldn't treat animals poorly), Folks who are uneducated and refuse to learn

Sense of Humor: Wendy has a very Laugh-At-Life view of the world (at least pre-series). She is smart and loves learning and the way the world works. More often than not, everything is beautiful and happens for a reason so, when something happens it's best not to take things so seriously, whatever is going on in your life has a solution, all you have to do is find it. So in the moment, it's best to laugh at what you can and work your way towards a solution. That's not to say that she can't turn things serious on a dime when the situation calls for it, because she can definitely take charge of a dangerous situation if the need arises. (And it definitely will).

Guilty Pleasure: Popcorn and cute stuffed animals are her greatest weaknesses

Defining Moment: Piecing the Demodogs' behavior together while she and Steve essentially join the party

Relationships

Friends: Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Steve Harrington (eventually), Joyce Byers, Jonathan Byers, Nancy Wheeler, Jim Hopper, Eleven, Max Hargrove, Robin Buckley

Family: Martin "Marty" Deakins (Father), Dorothy Deakins (Mother), Doc (Wendy's trusted Abyssinian cat companion)

Enemies: Hawkins Lab, Creatures from The Upside Down, Billy Hargrove

Lovers: Steve Harrington (eventually)

Relationship Status: Single

Reputation: She's a very intelligent and nice girl, she just strays slightly out of the social norms

Miscellaneous

Current Residence: Hawkins, Indiana

Collections: Biology/Animal books, Cat toys, Mechanic Equipment (including welding equipment), A walkman and headphones, Her dad's old truck

Accent: Midwestern

Voice: Spunky

Signature Quote: "Wicked... How's it work?"

Song: I’ve been looking for an early 80′s song that matches her vibe but I haven’t quite found it yet. However, her favorite song is Be My Baby by the Ronettes

Backstory

Wendy Deakins is a smart girl, always has been. She enjoys learning about the world and its many objects and what makes them work. When she was younger she had a knack for tearing things apart to see how it functioned before putting it back together. This skill followed her into her academic life when she became fascinated with animals and ecosystems. She wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up and dressed up like one for several Halloweens as a child. Her mother was not necessarily enthused by this. Didn't she want to dress up like a princess or something like that? Like what other little girls did? Her father however, could not have been more proud of his little girl. She's smart and has a passion for learning, not to mention she had goals in mind at such a young age. Something she wanted more than a white fence. He even let her into his shop at a young age, to see what he did for work. She thought what he did was amazing. Like a car doctor!

So, as soon as she was old enough, her dad got her some coveralls and offered her a job helping him around the shop. She did smaller stuff at the beginning. She was still learning what she needed to know for the job but she could fix smaller things and point people to the parts they needed while Martin was busy with bigger repairs. It made things more efficient and was excellent for getting things done. Not to mention, Wendy has always been a kind girl, so people were more than happy to take advice from the sweet girl who seemed to know what she was doing, rather than argue with her father. Not that Martin didn't know what he was doing, it's just sometimes people think they know better.

That doesn't mean that Wendy was immune to teasing though, her peers saw a girl their age that just didn't quite fit. She was a tomboy when that kind of thing wasn't necessarily the social norm in rural America. Her mother tried to steer her down the "right" path but Wendy always did her best to ignore it. She knew who she was, what she liked and what she wanted out of life. Her dad supported her and there was nothing that was going to make her change. She got along fine with other kids, she might not have been popular but that's okay. She didn't need to be, and besides, if some idiot wanted to waste their breath making fun of her for being herself, screw them. Some comments sting, but that's life, you file it away and you move on.

Wendy made contact with The Party while working in her Dad's shop. The boys had been riding around on their bikes and Dustin's chain broke, so they had to bring their bikes in. Smiling, Martin delegated the fix to Wendy and she did so faster than the boys thought was physically possible. They were amazed that a girl could do all that and Wendy thought the four of them were funny. She sent them on their way after teaching them a thing or two about bikes, already a little endeared by the kids.

That wasn't the last time she saw them however. She actually saw them rather regularly outside of the shop. She had a study hall around the time that the boys were in Mr. Clark's science class (not that she knew that at the time), she had been one of Mr. Clark's favorite students when she was in middle school and he her favorite teacher. She, frankly, wasn't really using the study hall anyway and decided she would ask if she could pop over to the middle school during the study hall and TA for Mr. Clark's science class, especially for harder lessons like labs. She even offered for him to call over to the High School to let them know that she had showed up for the class, just to make sure everything was above board.

So through these interactions, she made a semi-friendship with the kids, becoming a beloved NPC to their party if you will.

Then, of course, things got more than a little weird...

#wendy deakins #stranger things oc #st oc #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington x reader #hawkins indiana oc #stranger things x oc #stranger things x reader #oc bio sheet #my oc stuff #bio sheet: @shenanigans-and-imagines

24 notes · View notes

patroclusdefencesquad · 3 years

Text

seen a lot of bashing of my favourite lady going around. y'all wanna fight?

#she's a QUEEN and that's all there is to it #it's the BUCKLEY FAMILY secret for a reason folks #whatever it is it affects BOTH OF THEM #911 fox #maddie buckley

376 notes · View notes

ingloriousblasters · 7 years

Text

Second Chances

Okay, so here it is, the beginning of the story I mentioned last week. A Merle x OC story set in an AU so no zombies. This is Chapter One and I really like backstories, so that is what this is. No Merle yet....Im sorry! But there is a shoutout further in the read!

(I also made an image to go with the story when I couldn't concentrate, as you can see above lol!)

Alright, so here we go. Hope you like :)

*slowly backs away from computer*

Chapter One

The light blue Plymouth sat idling on the side of the little two lane road on an unusually cool, summer morning.

“We there yet Mama?” Anna asked.

Nora Buckley glanced at her daughter through the rearview mirror and took a deep breath. Memories of years gone by rushed through her body as she shifted her gaze back to the view in front of her. In a way, it felt like she had never left. Of course, that wasn’t true. The little bundle of blonde curls in the back of the car reminded her of that. Nora’s eyes roamed over the same faded wooden bridge that gave access down to the minuscule town of Redwater, Georgia. In the distance she could see the pristine, white chapel of Redwater’s only church against the pink and yellow tinted sky. This view, the one Nora had inked into her memory for nineteen years, the one she thought she had finally forgotten, was staring right back at her.

A light gust of wind moved through the half rolled down windows of the car. It was then that Nora realized she had been gripping the black leather steering wheel so tightly her knuckles were as white as paper. If someone had told her 5 years ago she would be back in Redwater, she would have dumped a whole pitcher of sweet tea over them. She had vowed to herself to never come back after word got round of her “mistake.”

5 years earlier

Everything’s going to be fine, Nora thought to herself as she stared at the chocolate shake sitting in front of her at DeDe’s Diner. She was meeting Rodger there after he was done with his last exam at the University of Georgia. Nora adjusted her position as the red plastic booth cushion started sticking to the bottom of her legs. Her body had started to become clammy, even while drinking the cold beverage. Everything’s going to be fine, Rodger loves you, you love him. You’ll work it out somehow. It had been a couple weeks since mother nature had rung her doorbell. At first, Nora thought it was just nerves. She and Rodger had been fooling around since they graduated high school, but she had never missed her period before. It wasn’t until the unmistakable nausea, fatigue and bloating started showing up that she knew. She was pregnant. Pregnant, nineteen, not married, and living in the 2,000 population town of Redwater, where word spread like wildfire.

Nora heard the familiar chirping of the singing bird clock above the diner counter, letting her know it was now 9pm. Rodger was late. It was a good 2 hour drive from Redwater to Athens, but Nora knew if he wasn’t going to make it he would have phoned someone to let her know. The ice cream from the milkshake was starting to separate from the chocolate as she stirred the remaining portion of it in haste. The metal of the spoon clinking to the glass in a fast paced rhythm. The later it got, the more it occurred to Nora that she couldn’t, wouldn’t, go home until he showed up. Past the point of no return. If she didn’t tell Rodger tonight, she didn’t think she could do it again until a baby appeared nine months later. Surprise!

As time ticked on, Nora’s thoughts wandered to the future she hoped would come true. That she and Rodger would get married. They had always talked about it every now and then while out in the fields looking at the stars. Get married and start a family. Well, now it would be start a family and get married. Same future, but just different means of getting there. They could all move to the new city while Rodger did his studies to be a doctor. She would take care of the baby, maybe do some more painting on the side. She could try to sell them to the students on campus and help with the income. Nora focused her energy on this future, a decent future. She couldn’t bare to think about the imminent future of having to tell not only Rodger’s parents, but her own mother. At least she knew she could count on Rodger.

The crowd in the diner started to dwindle as the clock was nearing 9:30pm. Every now and then, Nora would glance up at those passing her booth. DeDe’s attracted all types from town. There were the older folks, eating their customary dessert after choir practice, a few teenagers Nora recognized from when she was in school, and a couple families of moms, dads and tired children, trying to stay awake as long as they could. Nora was smiling to herself as she watched the little boy across from her booth slowly nodding his head every now and then, while his father went to the counter to pay the bill.

Just then, the chime of the front door rang and Nora’s head snapped quickly to the door. A tall, slender guy with dark brown hair, parted to the left side and combed back in neat streaks entered. Nora felt her heart rate pick up again, it was Rodger. Rodger glanced over the diner through his thick, black rimmed glasses until he spotted her. Smirking, he walked over to the booth Nora was at and slid in the opposite side.

“Hey doll!” He quipped, while sliding the chocolate shake over to him. “Ya gonna finish this?”

“Uh..nn…No” Nora scratched out, she hadn’t realized how dry her throat had become since waiting in the diner all this time. Rodger eagerly dug into the rest of melted shake while Nora tried to think of something to talk about. Slowly ease the conversation towards what she knew she needed to bring up. She asked him about his exams, about the drive home, and what plans he had for the summer. Rodger’s replies were the typical ones she had come to expect. The drive home was alright, he hated once he left the city and had to maneuver the winding country roads to get back. His exams were decent, he prepared well for them, but thought he could have done better. And as for his summer plans, well, he planned on working all summer at the local doctor’s office just outside Redwater. The more experience he gained, the better he would be prepared for when the time came to do his residency. Rodger wanted to be a doctor more than anything, Nora always knew that. But sometimes she couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly Rodger’s dream, or one his parents subtly thrust upon him his whole life.

After a few minutes of silence, Rodger noticed Nora sitting and staring at her lap. “What’s wrong doll?”

Oh god. This is it. Do it Nora, just move your mouth and spit it out. Nora slowly lifted her eyes from her hands and looked Rodger square in the eye. She inhaled a deep breathe before she spoke. “I’ve….I’ve got some news.”

“Good news or bad news?” Rodger asked, arching his brow.

“Uh, well, I don’t know.” Nora could feel her entire body tensing as the moment drew closer. She had no idea how Rodger was going to react and the more she realized that, the faster the future she dreamed about was slipping away.

“How can you not know? Come on, just tell me.” Rodger reached out his hand for Nora to take. She looked down at his open palm. Hesitantly, she moved hers from her lap and laid it down in his. “Rodger, I…..Rodger, I’m ppregnant.” Instantly, Nora felt all the tension she had built up within her body release. It finally felt good to let it out, it was not longer a secret she was keeping from him. Nora felt Rodger squeeze her hand, but it didn’t feel like a reassuring one. It was hard, tight and starting to become uncomfortable.

“What?” Was all he said. Nora repeated the statement. “Are you sure? Have you gone to the doctor, done tests?” His voice was starting to elevate the more he started speaking. Nora tried to get him to lower his voice, but nothing she did would work. She glanced around and noticed those left in the diner starting to eavesdrop on their conversation. Assholes. If she had known the diner would be as quiet as it was tonight, she would have asked Rodger to meet her somewhere else.

“I mean are you really sure? The doctor can do better tests. Test your urine and stuff.”

“I don’t need a freaking rabbit test, Rodger. I’m pretty sure it’s a done deal.” Nora could feel herself getting frustrated with Rodger. Of course he wouldn’t show any sign of emotion, he jumped right into doctor mode. They sat in silence for what felt like hours, not looking at each other. Their hands still together, but barely touching now.

“Say something.” Nora said.

Rodger leaned in closer to the table, lowered his head and softly asked, “Have you thought about getting rid of it?” Nora could feel the stinging of tears coming to her eyes. What? What was going on? Why would he suggest such a terrible thing. This was their child.

“NO!” Nora shouted, causing the other patrons of the diner to come out of their dazed state of watching the two and going back to their own business. She got up out of the booth, and started putting on her light pink sweater to head out the door. Nora was pushing through the front door when Rodger finally called after her. She turned around to face him, trying to force the tears in her eyes to go away. Rodger stood in front of her, but didn’t reach out to her, he just looked at her. “I’m sorry,” he said. Nora felt a little glimmer of hope, before he had finished his statement. “But, I just can’t do this.”

****

Nora didn’t return to her house till almost midnight. After Rodger had tried to reason with her, she walked out of DeDe’s and straight on down the road. She walked all around the perimeter of Redwater, trying to clear her head over what just happened. At one point, she found herself over the railroad tracks and down near the overgrown fields. The sky was clear and she could see thousands of stars in the night sky. Far in the distance she noticed smoke rising in the air from the old farm house. Some family owned it, what was their names? The Dixons, she thought it was. Nora remembered all the stories she heard about them growing up, especially when the first farm house had burned down with Mrs. Dixon inside. She felt a pang of guilt for judging them as she now realized she was soon to become the town’s new favorite topic of gossip.

When she finally reached her home, Nora’s heart dropped as she saw the light in the living room. Oh crap. Her mother was up. See, wildfire. Just like wildfire. Slowly she made her way up the concrete walkway, opened the screen door, and turned the knob on the wooden one. The aroma of alcohol and smoke hit her nose immediately. As she walked through the door she saw the silhouette of her small framed mother sitting in the rocking chair next to the green shaded lamp. The end table on the side holding a small glass of whiskey. Making eye contact with her, Nora forced a weak smile onto her face.

“Mama.” Her mother didn’t respond. Just took another slow, long drag of her cigarette. After a few more minutes of silence, her mother finally spoke.

“There somethin’ ya wanna tell me?” Nora stood there watching her mother. She knew. She just wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Nora and her mother didn’t always have the best relationship and it only seemed to get worse when her father died. They could barely make ends meet with just the two of them. Her mother cleaned the houses of the rich folks in the next town over, while Nora had taken the year between high school and college off working odd jobs in town to save money of her own. She knew her mother wouldn’t want a baby in the house.

“I said, there somethin’ ya wanna tell me?” Her mother asked again. Nora realized there was no point in trying to work around the question. Her heart was already broken, so she had nothing else to lose.

“Mama I…Mama, I’m pppregnant.” She finally mustered out.

“Mmhmm.” Mother responded, as she tapped the ashes of her cigarette into the tray. “And what? Ya thought you could just hide that little tidbit of information for nine months round here?” Nora tried to explain that she went to Rodger, thought that they would work it out, but that he wanted nothing to with it.

“Boys gotta point though.” Her mother mumbled through her sip of whiskey. “I mean, he’s going to school. Thinkin bout his future. Don’t think his parents would be too pleased to find out he knocked ya up.” Once again, Nora felt the threat of tears trying to escape from her eyes. Frustrated, tired, and heartbroken, Nora didn’t feel like working up the fight in her to argue back with her mother. Instead, she chocked down a sob, and turned around to head towards the hallway stairs and up to her room.

“And don’t think I’m gonna be willin to help ya when you need it. Lord knows how many shifts I’d have to work for that.” Her mother called out.

“Don’t worry Mama. I won’t.” Nora whispered as she started walking up the stairs to her room.

****

With the dreams of her future dashed, Nora finally took a hold of her emotions and planned out a new future for herself. She spent the next couple of months working and saving as much money as she could, but with the small bump that appeared overnight, the tasks she used to be able to do with no thought were now starting to take a toll on her body. Though she was able to find work in the shops around town, she was not immune to the whispered conversations customers had when they thought she was out of earshot.

“I heard she cozied up to one of the carnies from that Fall Festival last year.” Said a brown haired teenager sitting next to her friend at the local bookstore. Nora, in the next row over stacking a shelf, paused. “Oh no, you nimwit!” Her friend responded. “Didnt ya hear? She was going steady with that Pearson guy. He dropped her like a hot skillet when he found out. His family wont even acknowledge it.”

“Wow, poor thing.” The brown haired one uttered. Nora felt the heat radiating off her skin. Poor thing! Poor thing? If there was one phrase that seemed to be repeated whenever she found herself in one of these situations it was “poor thing.” Nora had had enough of the town’s gossip. Everywhere she turned she felt eyes on her, the low murmurs of whispers as she passed by, but most of all, she hated the pity. The pity of these so called self-righteous people. Who really only pitied her, not because they honestly felt sorry for her, but because it made them feel better about themselves. That day was the final straw, Nora knew it was time to move on from Redwater. Her mother all but basically said that once the baby arrived they would no longer be welcomed at the house, and Nora figured she had saved enough money by now to get her out of town and to some new city far away. She thought the best thing would be to leave while her mother was in the town over cleaning that way she could go in peace. She didn’t pack much, just enough to get her by, and by the same time the following week she was on the bus out of Redwater.

__________________________

“Mamaaaaa, we there yet?” Anna repeated, after Nora didn’t respond. She took a deep breath as her daughter’s questioning knocked her out the trance she was in.

“Yeah baby,” Nora paused. Trying to get the next words out as cheerfully and she could. “We’re home.”

#ahh i did it #michael rooker #merle dixon #merle dixon fanfiction #merle x oc #walking dead au #second chances #au #first time fic writer #rooker #dixons #i love how i usually watch and read weird shit yet here i am writing basically a romance novel #rooker what have you done to me?

34 notes · View notes

scannain · 7 years

Text

The 2017 Audi Dublin International Film Festival (ADIFF) line-up was released yesterday, January 18th. The festival is set to feature a strong selection of Irish films alongside a host of top-drawer international films. It opens and closes with Irish films, Aisling Walsh’s Maudie kicks off the festival on February 16th, with John Butler’s Handsome Devil bringing the curtain down on February 26th.

Speaking about the strong representation of Irish work in the ADIFF 2017 line-up, Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director said, that it is “an extraordinary testament to the current strength and depth of the Irish film industry.”

Here’s all of the Irish films at the festival, and where you can see them.

Maudie

Maudie is based on the life of Nova Scotia folk artist, Maud Lewis, and is an unlikely romance in which the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper. Maudie, bright-eyed but hunched with crippled hands, yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family. She also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. Maudie charts Everett’s efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie’s deep and abiding love for this difficult man and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter.

Maudie is directed by Song for a Raggy Boy director Aisling Walsh and written by Sherry White (Crackie, Relative Happiness).The film shot in Canada with Guy Godfree as cinematographer. Post-production took place in Windmill Lane, with Stephen O’Connell as editor. Susan Mullen of Parallel Film Productions produces, alongside Small Shack Productions, and Painted House Films. Financing comes from the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann, Mongrel Media, Telefilm Canada, Newfoundland Film Development Corporation, Ontario Media Development Corporation, The Harold Greenberg Fund, and Corner Piece Capital.

Thursday, 16 February – 19:30 – Savoy 1

Amanda Coogan: Long Now

Amanda Coogan: Long Now is an exploration of Coogan’s durational performance art practice, directed by Paddy Cahill. The film captures Coogan during a gruelling six week live durational exhibition, I’ll sing you a song from around the town. Hosted in Dublin’s RHA Gallery, the exhibition became the gallery’s most successful and visited in its history. Spanning six weeks, Coogan performs live, for six hours a day, five days a week for the entire run. The film visually explores the exhibition’s beautiful live performance, interwoven with Coogan’s reflections on the work.

Saturday, 18 February – 12:00 – IFI

Without Name

Lorcan Finnegan’s Without Name is one of the three Irish Film Board-backed Catalyst projects from 2014, and follows a systematic land surveyor who loses his reason in a supernatural environment that defies all boundaries.

The film stars Alan McKenna, Niamh Algar, and James Browne as leads, as well as Morgan C. Jones, Olga Wehrly, Brendan Conroy, Bryan Quinn, Paul Ward, Donncha Crowley, Brandon Maher, Helen Roche, and Alan McNally. Director Lorcan Finnegan and writer Garret Shanley have previously collaborated on the award-winning short film Foxes which was selected for SXSW and the Tribeca Film Festival.

Cinematography comes from Piers McGrail (Glassland), with Tony Cranstoun as editor. Casting was by Thyrza Ging and Louise Kiely, with production design by Jeannie O’Brien, art direction by Mick Minogue, and costume design by Niamh Buckley. The film is produced by Finnegan and Brunella Cocchiglia Lovely Productions, with support from the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann.

Saturday, 18 February – 18:00 – Light House 1

The Secret Scripture

Legendary Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan returns to ADIFF with his latest film The Secret Scripture. The film, which is an adaptation of Sebastian Barry’s 2008 Man Booker Prize nominated novel of the same name, is the story of a one-hundred-year-old woman, Roseanne McNulty, who now residing in Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital decides to write her autobiography. Lady Rose is an elderly woman who has lived in a hospital for 40 years. Despite her bleak surroundings there is a light in her eyes that cannot be extinguished. Dr Greene is drawn to her, compelled to discover her past and gain her freedom. Through her scripture we reveal a life of extraordinary love, great injustice and a remarkable young woman of courage whose only crime was to fall in love yet she survives the system’s brutal violations. Set against a backdrop of troubled times locally and chaos internationally we learn of her ultimate triumph.

US star Rooney Mara plays the younger Rose, with screen legend Vanessa Redgrave playing her in her older years. These are supported by Australian actor Eric Bana, and rising UK star Theo James, as well as Irish stars Jack Reynor, Aidan Turner, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

Six-time Academy Award nominee Sheridan co-wrote the screenplay with the late Johnny Ferguson. Director of photography Mikhail Krichman worked on the brilliant Russian film Leviathan, and composer Brian Byrne has previously worked with Sheridan on In America. It is edited by Dermot Diskin (Wake Wood, Moscow Never Sleeps), with production design by Derek Wallace (Good Vibrations, The Sea). The Secret Scripture, which is produced by Noel Pearson and Rob Quigley for Ferndale Films in association with Voltage Pictures, is financed by the Irish Film Board, the Ingenious Senior Film Fund, Apollo Media, and the European Media Fund.

Saturday, 18 February – 19:30 – Savoy 1

Pickups

Irish actor Aiden Gillen teams up with British director James Thraves for this semi-autobiographical tale. Aidan’s been having trouble sleeping. His marriage has broken down and he’s spending less time with his kid. He’s addicted to his job, but he’s nervous of turning down work. He also has a serious back problem, the pain is nightmarish and the drugs aren’t working. At least there are the fans, popping up when he least expects it. He kind of likes the attention, although Aidan is slightly concerned one of them might be stalking him. If only he could get some sleep.

Saturday, 18 February – 20:15 – IFI

Sanctuary

Set in the world of people with intellectual disabilities, Sanctuary is a touching and funny love story about Larry and Sophie, two people who long to be together in a world that does everything to keep them apart. Larry, has Down Syndrome, Sophie, has severe epilepsy. The two are attracted to each other and, through a care worker Tom, they sneak away to a hotel room during a supervised trip to the cinema. What do they do once they are there? How do they express a love that dare not speak it’s name? Are they aware that in Ireland they are about to break the law?

Directed by Len Collin, the film is based on a script by Christian O’Reilly adapted from his own play, which was originally commissioned and produced by Blue Teapot Theatre Company. The multi-award-winning theatre company is known for its work with people with intellectual disabilities, and all the principal cast come from there.

Sanctuary is a world-first for actors with intellectual disabilities. Following on from pioneers such as Jaco Van Dormael’s as Le huitième jour (1996) and Galvao’s Colegas (2012) this film features nine wonderful actors with ID. The film stars Kieran Coppinger and Charlene Kelly in the leads, with support from Michael Hayes, Emer Macken, Paul Connolly, Frank Butcher, Patrick Becker, Jennifer Cox, and Valerie Egan. The film also features Stephen Marcus, Amy-Joyce Hastings, Tara Breathnach, Caroline Grace-Cassidy, and Christopher Dunne. Edwina Forkin produced the film for Zanzibar Films, with Russell Glesson as DoP, Julian Ulrich as editor, Eleanor Woods on production design, and music from Joe Conlon. Sanctuary was made with financial assistance from the Irish Film Board, the Broadcast Authority of Ireland, and RTÉ.

Saturday, 18 February – 20:30 – Light House 1

Sanctuary on Tour

In association with access>CINEMA, and with the support of the Arts Council, ADIFF will host three additional screenings of Len Collin’s Sanctuary in venues outside of Dublin during the festival dates. Tickets available directly from the venues.

Monday, 20 February – 20:00 – Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire Tuesday, 21 February – 20:00 – Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda Wednesday, 22 February – 20:00 – Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge

Best

He was football’s first rock and roll star – a handsome, charismatic Belfast boy who could thrill and excite the crowds with every turn of the ball. But George Best was also the lead in his own Shakespearean tragedy, a flawed genius, brought down by drink, temptation and depression. In this feature documentary, director Daniel Gordon (Hillsborough) recounts the tale of this beloved but bedevilled superstar with riveting, evocative footage and testimony by those who knew him at his best—and worst.

Saturday, 18 February – 20:45 – Cineworld 9

ADIFF Shorts 1

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

ADIFF Shorts 1 features three award-winning Irish shorts, and 5 specially selected international shorts.

Lily

Director: Graham Cantwell | Ireland | 21 mins | Writer: Graham Cantwell | Cast: Clara Harte, Dean Quinn, Leah McNamara

A girl with a secret, on the cusp of becoming a young woman. When a misunderstanding with the beautiful and popular Violet leads to a vicious attack, Lily is faced with the greatest challenge of her young life.

Second to None

Director: Vincent Gallagher | Ireland | 7 mins | Writer: Vincent Gallagher

Frederick Butterfield is tired of always being runner-up. When he becomes the world’s second oldest person, he hatches a plan to claim first place.

Gridlock

Director: Ian Hunt Duffy | Ireland | 20 mins | Writer: Darach McGarrigle | Cast: Moe Dunford, Peter Coonan, Amy De Bhrún, Steve Wall

Gridlock is a thriller set during a traffic jam on a country road. When a little girl goes missing from one of the cars, her father forms a desperate search party to find her, and soon everyone is a suspect.

Sunday, 19 February – 16:00 – Light House 1

The Piano Lesson

Directed by acclaimed Irish documentary filmmaker Ken Wardrop (His & Hers, Mom & Me), The Piano Lesson charts the musical journey of numerous piano students through the commitment and pressure of the keyboard examinations. The piano lesson offers a unique window into the students’ lives. It is an opportunity to consider the impact that music, learning and creativity has. The film examines the students’ relationships with their teachers, their counterparts, the music and definitely the pianos. Audiences will discover meaningful truth in their successes and setbacks; unearthing charming curiosities that will make them laugh and cry.

Monday, 20 February – 18:30 – IFI

In Loco Parentis

In Loco Parentis tells the story of Headfort, the last remaining boarding school for primary age children in Ireland. Directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin with co-direction for David Rane and set on a sprawling estate in Kells, Co. Meath, the documentary melds two seemingly incongruent worlds as the ultra-modern teaching of Headfort’s brilliant staff is set against the 18th century backdrop of the school’s grand reception rooms, long corridors and secret doors. The idyllic surroundings provide a space where teachers become mentors and surrogate parents as they usher the young pupils through their last days of childhood. In Loco Parentis is produced by Soilsíu and financed by the Irish Film Board, the Broadcast Authority of Ireland, RTÉ, TVE, and Creative Europe.

In Loco Parentis received its world premiere at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) this November, where it also became the first Irish film to be selected to compete in the coveted IDFA Competition for Feature-Length Documentary. It is also playing at the prestigious Sundance Film festival, one of only two irish films selected in 2017.

Monday, 20 February – 20:30 – Light House 1 / Thursday, 23 February – 14:00 – Light House 1

Nails

Nails follows the story of Dana Milgrom, a track coach who, having survived a near-death car accident, finds herself completely paralyzed and trapped inside her own body. While recovering, she becomes convinced that an evil presence, the titular Nails, exists inside her hospital room and is intent on killing her. Believing her to be experiencing a mental breakdown, Dana’s family brush away her concerns. Becoming increasingly terrified, Dana soon realizes that she may not be the only target. Unable to leave her bed, she risks losing the ones she cares for most.

Descent star Shauna Macdonald plays Dana, alongside British comedian Ross Noble (Stitches), Steve Wall (of Irish band The Stunning), Leah McNamara, and Richard Foster-King as Nails.

Denis Bartok (producer of anthology horror Trapped Ashes) directs from his own script, which was co-written with Tom Abrams. Cinematography is by James Mather (Frank), with music by longtime Gary Numan collaborator Ade Fenton. The film has the support of the Irish Film Board, with Brendan McCarthy and John McDonnell producing for Dublin based Fantastic Films along with Jan Doense and Herman Slagter of The Netherlands-based, genre-specific Netherhorror.

Monday, 20 February – 20:45 – Cineworld 9

Photo City

Directed by John Murphy and Traolach Ó Murchú, Photo City is one of the two Reel Art documentaries, funded by the Arts Council, that feature at the festival. Rochester, NY is a city defined by photography. Once dominated by Kodak, the city now faces a new digital future. Photo City presents a portrait of photography itself as told through the lens of the citizens of a place defined by the art form. The film explores how the various strands of the city interact with photography, how its past informs its present, and how the resilience of its citizens perhaps suggests a future.

Tuesday, 21 February – 18:00 – IFI

The King’s Choice

Shortlisted for Oscar, The King’s Choice is an Irish-Norwegian co-production., directed by Erik Poppe. On the 9th of April 1940, German troops invade Oslo. The king of Norway is faced with a choice, which will change his nation forever. This is a film about real events, which turned a brave man into the people’s king.

The King’s Choice, which was written by Harald Rosenløw-Eeg and Jan Trygve Røyneland, stars Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, and Tuva Novotny. Newly appointed Irish Film Board project coordinator Lesley McKimm co-produced for Newgrange Pictures, alongside Finn Gjerdrum, Stein Kvae, Jackie Larkin, Henrik Zein, Malene Ehlers, and Madeleine Ekman.

The film received backing from the Irish Film Board, Windmill Lane Pictures, Norsk Filminstitutt, Copenhagen Film Fund, Film i Väst, Film3, Eurimages, Svensk Filminstitutt, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Coficine, Jesper Christensen, Nordisk Film, Paradox Rettigheter, Beta Film, Danmark Radio, Nordisk, Norsk Rikskringkasting, and Svensk Television.

Wednesday, 22 February – 20:40 – Cineworld 8

Unless

Unless, which is adapted and directed by Alan Gilsenan, is based on the award-winning and final novel from Canadian author Carol Shields, and will world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next week. The film follows a successful writer struggling to come to terms with her daughter’s decision to withdraw from the world and start pan-handling on a street corner.

Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener leads a star-studded cast, which also features Matt Craven, Brendan Coyle, Hannah Gross, Chloe Rose, Abigail Winter, Martha Henry, and Hanna Schygulla. Gilsenan is best known for biographies The Yellow Bittern and Eliza Lynch: Queen of Paraguay.

Unless is a Canada-Ireland co-production, produced by Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films and Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O’Sullivan of Dublin-based Subotica. Multiple IFTA award-winning editor Emer Reynolds oversaw post-production, with Celiana Cardenas as cinematographer, production design from Tim Bider, and music from Jonathan Goldsmith. The film is financed with the financial participation of the Irish Film Board, Telefilm Canada, the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), Mongrel Media, Premiere Fund and Windmill Lane Pictures, with development funding by Super Channel.

Wednesday, 22 February – 20:50 – Light House 1

ADIFF Shorts 2

Breathe

ADIFF Shorts 2 contains two award-winning Irish shorts, and seven curated international short films.

Breathe

Director: James Doherty | Ireland/UK | 15 mins | Writer: Theo James Krekis | Cast: John Connors, Lee O’Donoghue, Lynn Rafferty

A hardy Irish Traveller becomes increasingly concerned with his nine year-old son’s femininity and sets about toughening him up.

Din

Director: Helen Flanagan | Ireland | 9 mins | Writer: Helen Flanagan | Cast: Noel O’Donovan

Even when sinister noises begin haunting him in his isolated house, ailing farmer Pat refuses to admit that he needs help.

Friday, 24 February – 18:00 – Light House 3

Notes on Rave in Dublin

Notes on a Rave in Dublin

“What’s your name? Where ya from? How many ya on?” Notes on Rave in Dublin is a roller coaster ride through the birth pangs of dance music in our dirty old town. From the democratic romance of those early loved up dancefloors to how a cold social stratification and commercialisation crept back. That left it up to a network of outsider labels, pirates, and ravers to establish the indigenous scene that we now call our own. This is a story of how an underground works, mutates and survives.

Friday, 24 February – 18:30 – Light House 1 / Sunday, 26 February – 14:00 – Light House 3

ADIFF Shorts 3

The Nation Holds Its Breath

Director: Kev Cahill | Ireland | 20 mins | Writer: Kev Cahill | Cast: Sam Keely, Barbara Brennan, Ally Ni Chiarain

On the day of the most important football match in Irish history, an expectant father is torn between witnessing the miracle of childbirth and the miracle of reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Gone

Director: Patrick Maxwell | UK/Ireland | 15 mins | Writer: Patrick Maxwell | Cast: Niamh Algar, Ran Andrews

Paul returns to his hometown to find that his ex-lover has a child with another man. As old sparks reignite, jealousy and revenge lead to fatal consequences.

Pebbles

Director: Jonathan Shaw | Ireland | 15 mins | Writer: Jonathan Shaw | Cast: Marie Mullen, Niamh Algar, Stephen Brennan, Sam McGovern

On her 50th wedding anniversary Ruby returns to the hotel where she spent her Honeymoon. Will her estranged husband return to honour a promise?

Saturday, 25 February – 18:15 – Light House 3

The 4th Act

Directed by Turlough Kelly, The 4th Act tells the story of the €1bn regeneration of Ballymun, a high-rise working-class community on the north side of Dublin, through the eyes of the community itself. Drawing on hundreds of hours of local and personal archives collated over the past thirty years, the film explores themes of loss, community, hope and defiance as the residents of Ballymun watch their familiar landscape and way of living disappear.

Saturday, 25 February – 18:15 – Cineworld 8 / Sunday, 26 February – 4:30 – Light House 1

Tomato Red

Directed by Juanita Wilson (As If I’m Not There), Tomato Red is based on the acclaimed novel by Daniel Woodrell (Winter’s Bone) and follows the story of small-town drifter Sammy Barlach on his search for his next cold beer and the bunch that’ll have him. When he meets the red-haired Jamalee and her beautiful brother Jason, his life is opened up in ways he could never have imagined. Happy to have a home at last, Sammy finds his life opening up in ways he could never have imagined. But this new life is torn apart by a sudden violent incident, leaving them crying out for justice and revenge. But what if your cries fall on deaf ears? How do you make yourself heard if you don’t have a voice? Finding themselves powerless against the forces of corruption and prejudice, the only thing Sammy has left to fight is the demons inside his own head.

The film stars Julia Garner as Jamalee, with Nick Rowe as her brother Jason, and Jake Weary as Sammy. British actress Anna Friel plays Jamalee and Jason’s mother, with Sean Tyson, Kurt Max Runte, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Trevor Lerner, and Scott A. McGillivray supporting.

Principal photography took place in British Columbia in Canada in summer 2015. Post-production took place at Screen Scene in Dublin, with Room editor Nathan Nugent. Cinematography is by the always excellent Piers McGrail, with a soundtrack from Kevin Murphy, Thomas Haugh, and Stephen Shannon. The film is produced by Elizabeth Gill and James Flynn of Metropolitan Films/Octagon Films, and Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films. Financing comes via the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉirean, Take 5 Productions, and Screen Scene.

Saturday, 25 February – 20:45 – Light House 1

The Farthest

Directed by Emer Reynolds, The Farthest promises to be one of the most stunning documentaries at the festival. I s it humankind’s greatest achievement? 12 billion miles away a tiny spaceship is leaving our solar system and entering the void of deep space. It is the first manmade object ever to do so. Slowly dying within its heart is a plutonium generator that will beat for perhaps another decade before the lights on Voyager finally go out. But this little craft will travel on for millions of years, carrying a Golden Record bearing recordings and images of life on Earth. In all likelihood Voyager will outlive humanity and all our creations. It could be the only thing to mark our existence. Perhaps someday an alien will find it and wonder.

In this powerful, poetic and cinematic feature documentary, The Farthest celebrates these magnificent machines, the men and women who built them and the vision that propelled them farther than anyone could ever have hoped. Launched from a fractious planet, these pioneers sail on serenely in the darkness – an enduring testament to the ingenuity of humankind and the untapped limits of the human imagination.

Sunday, 26 February – 14:00 – Savoy 1

Handsome Devil

Director John Butler closes ADIFF for the second time (The Stag – 2015) with the beautifully tender and wonderfully funny coming-of-age drama Handsome Devil.

With his shock of red hair, proclivity for old rock songs, and general oddness, Ned is a certified outcast in his rugby-crazy, all-boy boarding school. Ned doesn’t even dislike rugby, but that doesn’t stop him from being an easy target. His mind is set on expulsion or escape, until the arrival of a new English teacher and a new roommate, a surprisingly sensitive rugby player with more than a few secrets, sets Ned on a path towards finally allowing himself to be heard.

The young cast is led by Fionn O’Shea and Nick Galitzine (one of the 2015 Screen Stars of Tomorrow), with support from Andrew Scott (The Stag, Sherlock), Moe Dunford (Vikings, Patrick’s Day), Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones), Ruairi O’Connor, Jay Duffy, Mark Lavery, and Jamie Hallahan. The film also features cameo performances from Ardal O’Hanlon, Amy Huberman, Norma Sheahan, Mark Doherty, and Hugh O’Conor.

Post-production on Handsome Devil took place at Windmill Lane Pictures with The Stag editor John O’Connor. Rebecca O’Flanagan and Rob Walpole produce for Treasure Entertainment, with backing from the Irish Film Board. Key crew include DOP Cathal Watters (Viva); production designer Ferdia Murphy, costume designer Kathy Strachan, and sound recordist Hugh Fox, all of whom worked with Butler on The Stag. Casting was by Louise Kiely.

Sunday, 26 February – 20:00 – Savoy 1

The Dublin International Film Festival is sponsored by Audi, its principal funder is the Arts Council and it is also in receipt of funding from the Irish Film Board. Key partners and funders include hotel partner The Merrion Hotel, print transport partner Wells Cargo, post-production partner Windmill Lane, digital out-of-home provider Orbscreen, social listening partners Olytico, food ordering app Just Eat and media partners Entertainment.ie, 98FM, The Times & The Sunday Times.

Tickets for ADIFF are now on sale at 01 687 7974 and online at www.diff.ie.

#ADIFF17: Irish Films screening at the 2017 Audi Dublin International Film Festival The 2017 Audi Dublin International Film Festival (ADIFF) line-up was released yesterday, January 18th. The festival is set to feature a strong selection of Irish films alongside a host of top-drawer international films.

0 notes