Awarded at the Venice Film Festival, Colin Farrell evokes the magnificent “The Banshees of Inisherin” alongside Brendan Gleeson.
In 2008, Martin McDonagh revealed himself to the general public and offered Colin Farrell one of his best roles thanks to With good kisses from Bruges, where he gave the reply to his compatriot Brendan Gleeson. Fourteen years later, the three men find themselves, in their native Ireland, with The Banshees of Inisherin.
A harsh and stripped-down drama, but sublime and heartbreaking, set against a background of thwarted friendship, it left the last Venice Film Festival with two prizes, including Best Actor for Colin Farrell. Alongside Brendan Gleeson, the latter returns to the feature film, which is a big favorite for the Golden Globes. Waiting for the Oscars?
AlloCiné: Were you surprised that Martin McDonagh wanted to get together again after “Kisses from Bruges”?
Brendan Gleeson : Yes, what a brilliant idea to bring us all together again for this film. It took us more than fourteen years to get to this historic moment, but the wait was worth it.
Colin Farrell: I remember the email Martin sent us almost seven years ago with an early draft of the script. I immediately loved his idea and his script, but Martin decided that it was crap and he went back to rewriting everything.
What’s amazing is that what we shot last summer is totally different from the script I had read before, except for the first three pages. But otherwise, yes, what a pleasure to find us all to tell you about the misadventures of two great friends caught in the turmoil of a big quarrel: Pádraic against Colm.
Just stand in front of an Irish landscape to fall in love with it
What are the subjects of the film that interested you?
Brendan Gleeson: The big difference between the first script we received and the one that was used for filming lies in Colm’s artistic journey, which turns to self-destruction but which is in a way a self-protection, for his survival. It is a reflection on the chaos that an artist can create when he wants his creative independence, far from any outside influence.
This drives him to extreme isolation, far from those he loves. This film really talks about the separation, the divorce between beings, which sometimes takes place beyond all possible logic. The central theme remains that of creativity, and how destructive this can entail for an artist. I think that, somewhere, it reflects the doubts, the questions that our director Martin asks himself when he creates such a work.
Colin Farrel: I think what emerges from this work is the opposition between the selfish need of the being, and the need of the community to which he or she belongs. How can we strike a balance between the two forms of expression and need. I can identify with this because I have an important need for solitude for my existence. And, at the same time, I need friendship and love, which contribute to my development. I need tenderness and physical exchanges with others.
We all need to be both alone and to live with others. The difficulty lies in the delicate balance between these two worlds, sometimes in opposition, sometimes complementary. Life is not that simple. I have a lot of respect for people who are purely selfish and say loud and clear what they need. That’s really what’s at the heart of this film. This was also the case in Good Kisses from Bruges, which represents the different aspects of Martin’s spirit. And for me, this film represents its heart. Likewise, I feel that my heart and my spirit are well represented in these films.
Searchlight Pictures Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson
Since you’re talking about the heart: did you see this film as a love letter to Ireland?
Brendan Gleeson: There is a sentence that sums up my feeling: “You can never eat the landscape”. I believe, however, that the sight of these landscapes can nourish your mind and soul. Despite the harshness of certain landscapes and the weather which is not always mild, Ireland makes you fall in love with it in the blink of an eye.
Colin Farrel: It is clear that when you watch this film, you can only feel this love for Ireland. Just stand in front of an Irish landscape to fall in love with it. For me, our whole planet is fantastic. And everywhere you look, you can’t help but fall in love with the beauty of our world.
We must open ourselves to the beauty of the souls of others, the splendor of the sounds, flavors and colors that face us. Anything can become a love letter to our world. But it is clear that this film, from the first frame, makes you fall in love with Ireland. It’s almost confusing because you think you’re seeing computer-generated images, but that’s not the case.
A reflection on the chaos that an artist can create when he wants his creative independence, far from any outside influence
Did this film change you as actors and as human beings?
Brendan Gleeson: Yes, most certainly. I have already seen it three times, and each time I feel different things. This movie was an emotionally strong journey for me, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.
Colin Farrel: I still wonder how this film changed me, transformed me. What is certain is that this adventure did not make me indifferent and that it had an impact on me. In any case, I felt very good when we shot this film. This feeling of feeling good about yourself, of feeling at home. I’m 46 years old and I’ve been through a lot of uncomfortable moments, others more comfortable. It was the best moment I felt while shooting this film in my entire career.
Interview by Emmanuel Itier in Los Angeles on October 18, 2022
Find all the cinema releases of the week