Danny Power, Diarmuid Noyes, Emma Willis, Alison Oliver
Inspired by his short film of the same name, Brendan Canty’s raw, kinetic feature debut won the Grand Prix (Generation 14plus) at this year’s Berlinale.
17-year-old Christy (Danny Power) is at a crossroads. Thrown out of his comfortable suburban foster home, he’s moved in with his estranged half-brother Shane (Diarmaid Noyes) in Knocknaheeny in Cork’s working-class north side. As far as new father Shane’s concerned, it’s a temporary arrangement, but Christy soon settles in, making friends and, in spite of his extended family’s bad reputation, reconnecting with them too – though Shane tries to steer him away. After spending so many years apart, reuniting forces them to reconcile their turbulent past and consider what their future might be.
A touching and uplifting story of camaraderie amongst resilient young people trying to make a life on the margins, Christy is boosted by two terrific central performances from Power and Noyes, who together craft an authentic portrayal of the difficult relationship between brothers who derive both strength and vulnerability from each other.