1000th Issue Special: Hot Press' favourite Irish films

A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man (Dir. Joseph Strick, 1977)
Joseph Strick's adaptation of James Joyce's novel is told though the eyes of Joyce's alter ego Stephen Dedalus. Played by Bosco Hogan, the film shows how Dedalus comes of age when he attends Dublin University. Though Strick adopts a more cinematic narrative approach than the novel's stream-of-consciousness technique, the film retains a poetic, ruminative quality.

My Left Foot (Dir. Jim Sheridan, 1989)
The film that scored Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar, My Left Foot sees the actor put in one of cinema's greatest performances as the Crumlin-born, cerebral palsy-affected artist Christy Brown. This portrayal captures both Brown's struggles and joys, as well as the dynamics of a family trying to support him. Indeed, Day-Lewis' masterful performance showed a generation of actors how full-bodied acting could be.

The Commitments (Dir. Alan Parker, 1991)
Alan Parker's hilarious adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel about a Dublin soul band offers a joyous tour of the city, making it a beloved classic. With its heartfelt portrayal of working class Dublin, spirited sense of humour, and standout performances from Glen Hansard, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Angeline Ball and Bronagh Gallagher, The Commitments deservedly became a cultural phenomenon.

Intermission (Dir. John Crowley, 2003)
This black comedy crime film features a multi-layered story with intersecting plots. Jam-packed with great Irish actors like Cillian Murphy, Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney and Michael McElhatton, the film roams around Dublin, allowing the eccentric characters to shine. The result in a compelling movie encompassing romance, betrayal, kidnapping, bank robbery - and a lot of brown sauce.

What Richard Did (Dir. Lenny Abrahamson, 2013)
Abrahamson's film is not only a quietly devastating exploration of guilt and entitlement, but a telling tale of our time. Jack Reynor plays the eponymous Richard, a charismatic young rugby player who struts through his privileged life. When tragedy strikes and the film becomes a complex morality play, the keenly observed - and largely improvised - script not only portrays nuanced characters, but gives a biting insight into the mindset of Richard's peers. A stunning and humanistic tragedy.