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Here are the top 10 international films to catch at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival

Highlights will include the Irish premieres of True History of the Kelly Gang and Hearts and Bones.

THE VIRGIN MEDIA Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) returns to the capital this Wednesday. 

The major Irish film event, which runs from 26 February to 8 March, celebrates cinema in all its forms from all around the world. 

Here are our picks of the top international films this year: 

The Mystery of Henri Pick

UniFrance / YouTube

What we know 

This Agatha Christie-style whodunnit follows a literary intellect who’s determined to uncover the truth when a manuscript, penned by a now-deceased pizzeria owner, is discovered in a remote library and becomes a hit in France. 

What the critics say 

  • “Luchini, who got his start with Eric Rohmer and is famous in France for his stage readings of Baudelaire, Hugo, Celine and other great authors, is excellent here as an arrogant erudite who may have been right about Pick all along, even if we’re sort of hoping otherwise.” – The Hollywood Reporter
  • “Playing on the comedic value of a police investigation improvised by a non-professional whose character displays a mix of intellectual snobbery and tactless obstinacy, the film offers Fabrice Luchini a golden role (who is brilliantly supported by the other main characters).” – CineEuropa 

When’s it on? 

29 February,2.30pm,  The Light House.

Hearts and Bones

Movie Trailers Source / YouTube

What we know

A Sudanese refugee asks a war photographer not to exhibit photos of a massacre in his village years earlier – but while revisiting the terrible events of that day, they make an extraordinary discovery.

What the critics say

  • “Time spent in a modern war zone can be traumatic for participant and observer alike, yet across continents and cultures, the shared experiences of living and loving in the wake of such experiences can be startlingly similar. This is multi-faceted and overarching theme woven throughout Ben Lawrence’s sensitive and affecting new Australian drama.” – Variety
  • “The director’s handsome debut feature, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival, flirts with becoming a savage indictment of affluent do-gooderism, but finally swerves to land on a vision of fraternity that’s altogether more optimistic.” – The Hollywood Reporter 

When’s it on? 

29 February, 8pm, Cineworld. 

Radioactive

Rapid Trailer / YouTube

What we know

Director Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis) explores the story of Marie Curie and her discoveries. Stars Rosamund Pike in the main role.

What the critics say

  • “This is a film that forces Curie to make hilariously foreboding statements about the possibility of her advances in radiation being co-opted for unsavory ends, then flashes forward to the atomic bomb melting the happy citizens of Hiroshima to make sure everyone gets the point.”- The Guardian 
  • “Acting in her mid-Atlantic English, Pike creates an admirable if flawed character whose graceful womanhood battles with her fears of being exploited or bypassed for her gender.” - The Hollywood Reporter 

When’s it on? 

1 March, 7.45pm, The Light House.

True History of the Kelly Gang

FilmSelect Trailer / YouTube

What we know

This British-Australian western is based on the infamous Ned Kelly and Kelly and his gang who are trying to flee from the law. Stars George McKay (1917).

What the critics say

  • “Kurzel’s movie draws on the traditional view of Kelly as the Jesse James or Che Guevara of Australia, but subverts the legend by presenting a vivid context of dysfunction and abuse in Kelly’s upbringing: a tragically toxic masculinity and toxic maternity.” – The Guardian 
  • “Adapted from Peter Carey’s Man Booker-winning 2000 novel, Kurzel’s roughhousing, ripely acted interpretation does full justice to the book’s rugged dirt-poetry vernacular and rich biographical particulars, while staging Kelly’s criminal rise and fall as a vision all its own: a wildly gyrating sensory assault of blood, velvet and strobe lights.” - Variety

When’s it on?

3 March, 8.10pm, The Light House.

Initials SG

La Cosa Cine / YouTube

What we know

The winner of Tribeca’s Nora Ephron Award revolves around a Serge Gainsbourg cover singer and is set against Argentina’s quest to win the World Cup. 

When’s it on? 

4 March, 8pm, The Light House.

Billie

Awards Circuit / YouTube

What we know

A documentary about the iconic and groundbreaking singer Billie Holiday, from the producers of Man on Wire and Maiden. 

What the critics say

  • “Billie passes the test for any doomed-singer documentary: There’s a creditable emphasis on the gift, not just the grubbiness.” – Variety

When’s it on? 

7 March, 6pm, The Light House.

The Hottest August 

Grasshopper Film / YouTube

What we know

The documentary focuses on ordinary people in New York over a one-month period who discuss their lives in the face of climate change and political uncertainty.  

What the critics say

  • “Most climate change documentaries approach the issue from a place of hysteria, overwhelming audiences with statistics and doom-and-gloom scenarios, whereas Brett Story attempts to reframe the subject from a different perspective.” – Variety
  • “This documentary, for all of its considerable discrete moments and insights, is most fascinating because of its vivid demonstration of how the future is never really as we expect it to be.” – The New York Times 

When’s it on?

6 March, 4pm, The Light House.

Spring Tide 

Filmlance International AB / YouTube

What we know

Director Yang Lina looks at three generations of the one family – and three very different periods in Chinese history – in her tale of a woman pulled between the needs of her mother and daughter. 

What the critics say

  • “Worthy of note is the mature performance of young Qu in the role of the daughter Wantig. It is she who closes the film’s ambiguously symbolic final sequence with her playful confidence, in what is probably a green light for her generation of Chinese women.” – The Hollywood Reporter 

When’s it on?

27 February, 6.15pm, Cineworld.

Ditte & Louise

Nordisk Film / YouTube

What we know

This film, which was a big hit in its native Denmark, tells the story of two actresses and close friends who to take their comedy show on the road. Then Ditte decides to try turning herself into bearded ‘Ditlev’ to try and get more work.

What the critics say

The film received a nomination for Best European Comedy at the 2019 European Film Awards. 

When’s it on?

28 February,6.15pm, Cineworld.

You Will Die at Twenty 

International Film Festival Rotterdam / YouTube

What we know

A young Sudanese boy cursed by a prophecy about his death seeks friendship, love and life ambitions as his family come under increasing strain and pressure at the prospect of his passing.

What the critics say

  • “Boasting a terrific visual sensitivity, this rare film from Sudan has a fable-like quality in its depiction of an isolated village where superstition constrains its people.” – Variety
  • “Just as impressive are the film’s key cast members, all screen newcomers, with Rashed, Mubark and the particularly memorable Shehata tussling with Muzamil’s untimely destiny via internalised performances.” - Screen Daily

When’s it on? 

1 March, 8pm, Cineworld. 

The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival runs from 26 February – 8 March 2020. For the full line-up, and to buy tickets, visit www.diff.ie

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:07 AM

    More die from cold than heat as the numbers show and as fuel and energy prices increase more will suffer hypothermia.

    245
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    Mute Jeff Kennedy
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    Jun 7th 2013, 3:14 PM

    Enviromaniacs love killing old people and africans in the name of carbonology .So now that warming is cooling and weather is only weather ,when a priest of carbonology says so, I look forward to the heatwave from the carbonite’s computers ,trying to explain why its snowing in September

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    Mute Frank Buffalo
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:23 AM

    They died from shock obviously.

    194
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    Mute The Green Monkey
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:11 AM

    We have seen the sun for the first time in six months and you have people running for cover……….

    184
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    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:26 AM

    5 Cold days in a row = article on climate change
    5 Sunny days in a row = article on climate change
    Floods somewhere = article on climate change

    If you add up all those articles, the sum total of the conlusions is that 50 years from now our calendar year will stumble from flood, to heatwave, to big freeze, to hurricane force winds. Utter chaos.

    Oh, and there’ll also be an increase in average temperature of 0.5c.

    We’re doomed! Doomed I tells ya!

    111
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    Mute TheIrishBrain
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:29 AM

    What about the vitamin D, you get that from sunshine

    44
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    Mute Jamie Edwards
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    Jun 7th 2013, 1:06 PM

    Clearly you do not understand the concept of climate change.

    12
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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:40 AM

    ahhh come on 22 degrees is NOT a heat wave

    183
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    Mute Chris O' Mahony
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    Jun 7th 2013, 2:09 PM

    According to this study, a heatwave is temperatures of over 25 degrees Celsius for two days or more.

    19
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    Mute Taxi Bill
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    Jun 7th 2013, 5:42 PM

    Lets be honest people, there is taxpayers hardearned money to be made, from this nonsense, first it was global warmng, then it was a mini ice age, so now its the coverall “climate change” well hopefully it wont change for a couple of weeks!!!

    6
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    Mute Kevin Hunt
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:08 AM

    Irish heatwaves – normal summer weather! Bring it on so! More of this please, even a little warmer would be nice!

    125
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    Mute Adam Power
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:09 AM

    Strong post in relation to the subject discussed.

    23
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    Mute Ali Sheridan
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:42 AM

    Awh come on guys this is the first bit of good weather we have had this year and u go and post an article like this, can we not just enjoy the weather and not complain for once.

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    Mute hjGfIgAq
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:04 AM

    So sorry for posting this article Ali and ruining your day in the sun!

    Unfortunately this is a reality for many people and loved ones were lost. The research is warning people in the future that they need to be more careful in the sun. This article is not a complaint, it’s a reality.

    23
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    Mute Niall H
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:27 AM

    Ah Amy yesterday you were telling me I should get out and enjoy the sunshine. I’m confused now

    52
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    Mute Alan McNamara
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    Jun 7th 2013, 12:33 PM

    They didnt even say how the people died, how old they were, and how to prevent it. Pointless article.

    27
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    Mute Steve Monk
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:19 AM

    Who funds these pointless studies?

    74
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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:29 AM

    People do actually die from cold but I bet the heat releated ones are drownings and heart attacks brought on by folks suddenly taking up exercise such as blowing on BBQ’s trying to light them .

    61
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    Mute Chris
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:57 AM

    Quangos

    13
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    Mute Pádraig Downey
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:43 AM

    This is such nonsense ! Get real ! I am certain there are more deaths relating to the miserable weather all year round ! The damp, the chill, the freeze, the cold!!! Go to Rome or NYC in the summer ! Now that’s a heat wave! Or come to Dubai, where I live. Nobody dying from the all year round heat here … Stop moaning and enjoy the modest heat while you can

    62
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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:51 AM

    I would prefer to die in a heatwave than be frozen to death anyday.

    41
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    Mute Aoife O'Riordan
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    Jun 7th 2013, 1:30 PM

    Seriously.
    “She died a tragic death, sitting on the beach, sipping on a great big glass of sangria with an umbrella in, her toes dangling into the water with the sunshine twinkling off the waves”

    What a way to go.

    26
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    Mute Ger O'Brien
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:14 AM

    I had to check this wasn’t an article from the Potato when I first read the title!

    40
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    Mute Philip Nicholls
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:23 AM

    I find it hard to believe that people die from what the Irish laughable call a heat wave, try an Australian summer 10 plus days of over 35c and temps up to 47c, now that’s a real heat wave.

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    Mute Mandy O'Sullivan
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:43 AM

    Yep its certainly way hotter here in Australia. 22 degrees for Ireland is bliss compared to what we get here. Give me Ireland weather any day.

    15
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    Mute Mick Stafford
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:28 AM

    I think the main cause of death is by way of Cardiac Arrest/shock brought on by having two days in a row of Sunshine….!

    22
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    Mute Aoife O'Riordan
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    Jun 7th 2013, 1:31 PM

    Either that or severe anxiety caused by being cooped up in offices on what you’re convinced is the only sunny day of the year. And don’t tell me anyone’s gotten over being COMPLETELY CONVINCED that the rain is going to start at about 5.30pm on Friday..

    13
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    Mute Sarah Curran
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:35 PM

    I find the complete opposite, actually- since I started working weekends I find they all seem to be warm and sunny, and the rain only starts on Tuesday (or whatever day I’m off!) People who work mon-fri always say they wish it would be sunny at the weekend, but they forget about all those of us who are working!…

    PS Can you believe every weekend when I was mon-fri was usually horrible; now that I’m working them they’re usually all lovely!!

    2
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    Mute Cathriona Daley
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:55 AM

    Living in Ireland we are all climatised to rain, overcast skies withe the occasional few sunny days. We get a week or two (if we are lucky!) of intense heat which to some can be very uncomfortable. Especially people with heart conditions, maybe they need the information on how to protect themselves ie; drinking plenty of water, staying in the shade etc. I live on the coast and like everyone else I ran down the road to the beach only to suffer the last few days with heatstroke and it is not pleasant! I should have been more careful and maybe if I had read an article like this I would have stopped and thought about it before I went out in the heat.

    21
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    Mute Frank Buffalo
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    Jun 7th 2013, 5:08 PM

    Sunscreen only protects from the sun.
    Obviously nothing protects you from being a bit thick…

    8
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    Mute David Bond
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    Jun 7th 2013, 12:46 PM

    One sentence…” No such thing as Bad weather. .just wrong Clothes ”
    Heatwave my a***e….I’ve been around a while n remember the warmer summer’s in 70s n 80s. ..n colder winter’s also…never remember an epidemic of deaths…
    I mean…-10° to 25° is not exactly extreme weather…
    God forbid we were subjected to the odd Twister…or tsunami. ..
    Amy….go out and get some sun on ya chops :-)

    20
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    Mute Hassan Hashpotato Elsafty
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    Jun 7th 2013, 12:04 PM

    sensationalist shite at its best.

    19
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    Mute FMG_Sales
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    Jun 7th 2013, 1:31 PM

    Many times that had died due to the truly awful weather that much of the country has had for the last 3 years. Suicide and lack of sunlight, constant overcast sky and rain all go hand in hand.

    8
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jun 7th 2013, 2:30 PM

    Non sense ,for example it’s 41 degrees in doha today , a regular occurrence , seriously two days of 25 degrees is pretty unlikely to be killing people , these kind of studies are topical but very questionable , common sense means that people may have some underlying health issues and then point to the weather as the cause but I seriously doubt people in Ireland are dying in our “heat waves”

    5
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    Mute Frank Buffalo
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    Jun 7th 2013, 5:11 PM

    Aha! Maybe its the Irish definition of dying.
    “I’m dying for a pint, this weather is quare hot”

    7
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jun 7th 2013, 6:21 PM

    hahah i like that im dying for a pint….thats more likely , i really think the epa and DIT could be doing more useful stuff than this , he report is full of maybes , if , mights and could haves , like in fine weather more people in rural areas are out working on farms and ‘may’ have accidents leading to death…pretty bloody flawed ‘study’ in my opinion , and who decided that two consecutive days of 25 degrees qualifies as a ‘heatwave’….more horse shite…then the majority are people over 74 , people with heart conditions …..im sorry but this is just useless academic crap ,should expect our Dublin Institiute of Technology and EPA to do more useful stuff than this nonsense

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    Mute Tara Tevlin
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    Jun 7th 2013, 12:49 PM

    Bring it on thank you

    5
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    Mute Sarah Curran
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    Jun 7th 2013, 11:40 PM

    Death from heatwaves- yeah, cos we’ve had SO many of those over the last six years, haven’t we!

    More like death from depression over the terrible weather!!

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    Mute FMG_Sales
    Favourite FMG_Sales
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    Jun 7th 2013, 1:33 PM

    Micheal Martin mocking the Chinese accent.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXsgU0Hj-pA

    1
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    Mute ciaran kennedy
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    Jun 7th 2013, 10:33 PM

    silliness and nothingness. Go for a proper cycle and think of something that someone might be interested in, don’t waste all mammy and daddy’s money.

    1
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