The upcoming Irish historical drama, Black 47, has added some more notable actors to an already all-star cast, Jim Broadbent, known for his recent performance in the film adaptation of Brooklyn, as well as his role in the Harry Potter movies as Professor Slughorn, has taken on a role in the upcoming project. James Frecheville, an actor who starred in The Drop with Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace, has also joined the cast, along with the Oscar-nominated Irish actor Stephen Rea.
The film is directed by Irish director Lance Daly, whose film Kisses was named Best Feature Film at multiple film festivals, including Galway's Film Fleadh festival. It also received an Independent Spirit Award and became the highest grossing Irish film of the year in 2013. Kisses also won Daly the Best Director award at the IFTAs and the Galway Film Fleadh’s Bingham Ray New Talent Award.
Black 47 is set during the dark period of history in which Ireland was ravaged by the Great Hunger. Feeney, an Irish Ranger who returns home after a long battle abroad for the British army, finds that his home is not as he left it. His mother has tragically died of starvation, and his brother has been sentenced to death by hanging by the English. Under the threat of hunger Feeney's society has become lawless and desperate. Having lost everything he fought so valiantly to return to, Feeney sets out on a furious quest for revenge. The only thing standing in his way is his old comrade Hannah, a British soldier who has grown into a weary man after so many years of fighting. With Hannah sent out to stop Feeney before he promotes a dangerous rebellion, both soldiers find themselves questioning their motives as they are put to brutal challenges under the vicious times of the famine.
Black 47's screenplay is written by PJ Dillon, known for his work as Director of Photography on Game of Thrones, Pierce Ryan, Eugene O’Brien, and Daly himself. It is produced by Macdara Kelleher, who worked on the Daniel Radcliffe rom-com What If, and Daly's film Kisses. He also co-founded the Dublin-based Fastnet Films with Daly and Morgan Bushe.
Filming has already begun on the project. Stay tuned for more news.