EXCLUSIVE: First look at Claire Frances Byrne’s Dublin-bound debut, Ready or Not
- The pic promises to be a coming-of-age story with a twist, rooted in deep friendships that the characters hope can stand the test of dramatic change
Cineuropa has gained exclusive access to Claire Frances Byrne’s feature debut, titled Ready or Not and set to world-premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival next month (20 February-2 March).
Before embarking on the making of her first feature, the Dublin-born helmer made the short Sister This, funded by Screen Ireland, which garnered recognition with a 2020 IFTA nomination, Best Film at the Fastnet Short Film Festival and prizes at the Kinsale Shark Awards, among other accolades. That same year, she won the Aer Lingus Discovery Award at the Dublin International Film Festival.
In Ready or Not, the transition to teenage life brings Katie and her friends to places they did not expect when they push the boundaries of their circle and try on a maturity they are not yet ready for. It’s a bursting coming-of-age story with a twist, revealing the greyness we create to make sense of the world. The story is rooted in deep friendships that the characters hope can stand the test of dramatic change. The script was penned by Lynn Ruane.
Speaking about her work on the script, Ruane told Cineuropa: “Working-class communities are bursting with talent, imagination and stories to tell, and making this film demonstrates that. Ready or Not tells a tale of consent that is familiar to many. I couldn't be prouder of what we have created, and I am excited to see the impact that I know it will have on the film world and its audiences.”
Key cast members are Ruby Conway Dunne, Alex Grendon, Molly Byrne, Lewis Brophy, Dane Whyte O’Hara and Alicia Weafer. The technical crew includes DoP Philip Blake, editor Nathan Nugent, production designer Jenny Oman, composer Stephen Shannon, costume designer Zoe Redmond, and casting directors Maureen Hughes and Alison Crosbie.
Ready or Not is being produced by Ruth Coady for Irish firm Gaze Pictures, with backing from Screen Ireland, Bankside Films, RTÉ and Article 1 Productions. Bankside Films is also in charge of the pic’s world sales.
Ahead of the upcoming world premiere, Coady says: “We are honoured to premiere Ready or Not at the Dublin International Film Festival. Dublin is at the beating heart of the film and its characters. Those characters are brought to life by an outrageously talented young cast who take us on an eye-wateringly honest journey, navigating friendships when sex is determined to make the whole thing extremely complicated. Dublin is where we shot the film, supported by a team of talented local cast and crew, so to premiere it here, to a DIFF audience, means a huge amount. We are home!”
Byrne shares the same excitement: “I am bursting with pride for everyone involved in Ready or Not. My debut feature will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will be forever grateful to Ruth and Lynn for trusting me to direct this important story. I can’t wait for people to see the performances from our incredible young cast, who are undoubtedly the future of Irish film.”
Meanwhile, the director is already developing two new feature-length projects. The first is Daughterhood, staged by Keeper Pictures, which originated from her winning submission to X-Pollinator’s 2020 Incubator and is now being co-written with Karen Healy. The second is Fenna, penned by and starring Ella Lily Hyland, with Alison Oliver and Joe Powell serving as the executive producers.
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