Ondine (film)
Encyclopedia
Ondine is a 2009 Irish romantic drama film directed and written by Neil Jordan
and starring Colin Farrell
and Alicja Bachleda.
The film mixes themes from Irish mythology
into contemporary settings.
), called "Circus", is an Irish fisherman and former drunk, with a daughter named Annie, who is suffering kidney failure and uses a motorized wheelchair, and an ex-wife named Maura. One day, he finds a young woman (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) in his net, who he resuscitates. The woman is disoriented, but refuses hospitalization and doesn't want to be seen by people, so Syracuse takes her to his deceased mother’s house. Later, at dialysis, he tells Annie a story about a fisherman who pulled in his nets and discovered a woman. Annie believes the woman in the net is a Selkie
.
in Ireland, and was scheduled to finish on August 6, 2008.
Ondine had its European premiere as part of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
on February 18, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland. The film was released in the United States on June 4, 2010 by Magnolia Pictures
with a MPAA Rating of PG-13 for some violence, sensuality and brief strong language.
based on 94 reviews. Critics have praised the film for its atmospheric almost dreamlike quality while some have criticized the ending. Critics have also praised the performance of Alison Barry as Annie, with Mary Pols stating: "Barry is such a relaxed and strong performer that she manages to shrug off the burden of Annie's precociousness."
for Ondine (Octagon Films), February 20, 2010:
Neil Jordan
Neil Patrick Jordan is an Irish filmmaker and novelist. He won an Academy Award for The Crying Game.- Early life :...
and starring Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Colin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
and Alicja Bachleda.
The film mixes themes from Irish mythology
Irish mythology
The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...
into contemporary settings.
Plot
Syracuse (Colin FarrellColin Farrell
Colin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
), called "Circus", is an Irish fisherman and former drunk, with a daughter named Annie, who is suffering kidney failure and uses a motorized wheelchair, and an ex-wife named Maura. One day, he finds a young woman (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) in his net, who he resuscitates. The woman is disoriented, but refuses hospitalization and doesn't want to be seen by people, so Syracuse takes her to his deceased mother’s house. Later, at dialysis, he tells Annie a story about a fisherman who pulled in his nets and discovered a woman. Annie believes the woman in the net is a Selkie
Selkie
Selkies are mythological creatures that are found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore....
.
Cast
- Colin FarrellColin FarrellColin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
as Syracuse - Alicja Bachleda as Ondine
- Stephen ReaStephen ReaStephen Rea is an Irish film and stage actor. Rea has appeared in high profile films such as V for Vendetta, Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire and Breakfast on Pluto...
as Priest - Dervla KirwanDervla KirwanDervla Kirwan is an Irish actress famous for roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart...
as Maura - Don WycherleyDon WycherleyDon Wycherley is an Irish actor who is well known for the portrayal of Father Cyril McDuff in the comedy Father Ted. Don is the brother of Gordon Wycherley. Other roles include Raymond in Bachelors Walk and Fr...
as Kettle - Carrie CrowleyCarrie CrowleyCarrie Crowley is an Irish actress, Gaeilgeoir and former radio and television presenter. She has been described both as a "gay icon" and "RTÉ's Miriam O'Callaghan for the late 1990s". She appeared on television shows such as The Morbegs and Echo Island for Raidió Teilifís Éireann...
- Alison Barry as Annie
Production
Filming began on July 18, 2008 on location on the Béara PeninsulaBeara Peninsula
The Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its centre: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains...
in Ireland, and was scheduled to finish on August 6, 2008.
Ondine had its European premiere as part of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is a film festival that is held annually in February over the course of ten days in Dublin, Republic of Ireland-History:The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival was established in 2003...
on February 18, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland. The film was released in the United States on June 4, 2010 by Magnolia Pictures
Magnolia Pictures
Magnolia Pictures is an American film distributor, and is a holding of 2929 Entertainment, owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban. Magnolia was formed in 2001 by Bill Banowsky and Eamonn Bowles, and specializes in both foreign and independent films....
with a MPAA Rating of PG-13 for some violence, sensuality and brief strong language.
Reception
The film currently holds a 70% Fresh rating on Review Aggregate website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
based on 94 reviews. Critics have praised the film for its atmospheric almost dreamlike quality while some have criticized the ending. Critics have also praised the performance of Alison Barry as Annie, with Mary Pols stating: "Barry is such a relaxed and strong performer that she manages to shrug off the burden of Annie's precociousness."
Awards and nominations
The Irish Film and Television AwardsIrish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
for Ondine (Octagon Films), February 20, 2010:
- Actor in a Lead Role: Film: Colin Farrell
- Supporting Actress in a Film: Dervla Kirwan
- Production Design: Anna Rackard
- Sound: Brendan Deasy, Tom Johnson & Sarah Gaines