Ballarat Film Society – Redemption of a Rogue

Ireland, 2020, 95 min. Written and Directed by Philip Doherty
Deadpan Dark Irish Comedy

To see out the year 2023, we turn to a pitch-black, irreverent comedy about a troubled young man returning to his fictional Irish hometown of Ballylough, in the real County Cavan. A despairing prodigal son seeking redemption for his sins, he arrives just before his father dies, leaving instructions that his burial cannot take place in the rain – and so begins a 40 days and 40 nights continual “raining curse.” Peppered with biblical references, and highly irreverent, this indie style film has been described by reviewers as “A surreal, deadpan, stylised gem” (with a brilliant sound-track) IMDB. Writer-director Philip Doherty has a theatrical background, and has created a kind of blues opera with on-screen musical artists providing songs that move the film along. Stars: Aaron Monaghan, Aisling O’Mara and Kieran Roche.