15/02/2025 - BERLINALE 2025: Brendan Canty proves that it takes a village to raise a child and a whole community to fix a directionless young adult

There’s pain in Brendan Canty’s Berlinale Generation 14plus opener, Christy [+see also:
interview: Brendan Canty
film profile], and loneliness, too, but there are also bouts of pure joy – and plenty of rapping. This joy is probably the film’s biggest strength, setting it apart from many, many well-meaning but grim stories of working-class struggles and kids growing up on their own. They still do so, make no mistake, but they have people around them. If it takes a village to raise a child, a whole community will be needed to fix a directionless young adult. Canty’s protagonist, a 17-year-old (Danny Power) straight out of a foster home, is about to experience it himself.

It won’t be easy, of course – his brother Shane (Diarmuid Noyes) – “half-brother!” – has to take him home even though they don’t even know each other. Why would they? They don’t talk. They don’t talk about their past, their fears, or their grief over the death of their mother. They don’t talk about Christy’s obvious issues and Shane’s worries that his stable life as a new dad and a provider is about to take a hit. They just assume. And, as Barbra Streisand said in her book, “Never assume.”

Christy doesn’t believe he will stay, hearing whispers about another foster family, so he barely makes any effort. But this kid, with his child-like face and plenty of darkness – James Cagney used to combine these well, too – just can’t help himself. After a while, he finds a purpose – he’s a wizard at cutting hair – and suddenly, he’s not a stranger any more. It seems obvious to everyone that he should stay, cut and trim, and keep on delivering “the Christy special”. To everyone but his brother, anyway.

Social dramas can’t escape repetition, and there are familiar (or unnecessary) storylines here, too, not to mention the fact that not everyone can match Power’s subtlety and hilariously dour stare. Still, Canty knows the place he’s talking about – the north side of Cork – and it shows. After all, he’s already made a short about it as well. His debut feature might be called Christy, but it’s hardly just this one boy’s story: stories fly left, right and centre, inspired by what Canty has seen and a not-for-profit initiative called the Kabin Studio, which he’s been supporting for years.

Some of these stories are better than others – actress Alison Oliver, ironically enough probably the most recognisable face here, gets stuck with the least successful. But the film works best as a surprise ensemble piece, one that sneaks up on you by accident – before you know it, the barbecue is all set and the rap contest is on. “Make it big, make it work, that’s my mission,” leads into “Walking around Cork in a sombrero,” and “Looking forward to the future, because my future’s bright.” For a story this sad, Christy never completely forgets the fun. And when he does, those no-nonsense neighbours and wee aspiring rappers will make sure he remembers again.

Christy is an Irish-UK co-production staged by Sleeper Films, Wayward Films and Nite Owl Film & TV. It is sold overseas by Charades.

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Photogallery 15/02/2025: Berlinale 2025 - Christy

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