email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

PRODUCTION / FUNDING Ireland

Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney’s debut feature, Lakelands, in production

by 

- The new drama, acquired by Wildcard Distribution for the UK and Ireland, centres on a young Gaelic footballer struggling with a career-ending injury

Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney’s debut feature, Lakelands, in production
Danielle Galligan and Éanna Hardwick in Lakelands (© Madeline Mulqueen)

Last week, Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney’s debut feature, Lakelands, entered production in Granard, County Longford, Ireland. The drama follows the two helmers’ short film Drifting, starring BAFTA-winning actor Paul Mescal and premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh last year. The announcement was first reported by Screen International.

The story, penned by the two directors, follows Cian, a young Gaelic footballer who is the victim of an attack on a night out, and who will struggle to come to terms with a career-ending injury. Lakelands follows him as he undertakes a search for his own identity in a small town in the Irish midlands, where Gaelic football is a religion and your identity is defined by what you can do on the pitch. The main cast members include Éanna Hardwicke (the TV series Normal People, Vivarium [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lorcan Finnegan
film profile
]
), Danielle Galligan (the TV series Shadow and Bone), Lorcan Cranitch (the TV series Bloodlands, The Dig), Dafhyd Flynn (Gateway [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, Michael Inside [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
), Dara Devaney (Arracht [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, Float Like a Butterfly [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carmel Winters
film profile
]
) and Gary Lydon (Broken Law [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paddy Slattery
film profile
]
, The Guarantee).

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Speaking about the project, Higgins commented: “Lakelands is a very personal film for both of us, and bringing it to life with such a talented cast and crew has been an incredible experience. We’ve always felt that the world of smalltown GAA [Gaelic football] would make a good backdrop for a film, and we look forward to sharing it.”

McGivney added: “We’re delighted to be working with Wildcard Distribution on bringing Lakelands to the widest possible audience. This film has been a real passion project for us from the beginning, and the whole community of Granard rowed in behind us to help make it a reality.”

Wildcard Distribution has acquired British and Irish rights for a theatrical release scheduled for 2022. Talking about the acquisition, managing director of Wildcard Distribution Patrick O’Neill said: “Everyone at Wildcard is thrilled to be working on this very special film. We were so impressed with the script when we read it and couldn’t wait to be involved. Patrick and Robert have assembled a wonderful cast and crew, and we can’t wait for Irish audiences to see the finished film.”

Lakelands is being produced by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney for Ireland’s Harp Media, with Chris Higgins and Andrei Bogdan co-producing, and Patrick O’Neill from Wildcard Distribution serving as the executive producer. Moreover, the film has received funding from Creative Ireland, Longford Arts Office, Backstage Theatre and Longford LEO, and received development funding from Screen Ireland.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy