It is part of Film Hub NI’s special Collective programme which brings local films to local places via its network of community cinemas. There's also a special screening at Queen’s Film Theatre.
The movie tells the redemption story of Frankie Burke, starring Peter Coonan (Love/Hate) as a kindly taxi driver living a quiet life who is forced to confront the ghosts of his past on the death of his father. It premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival to critical acclaim. It’s a gritty Irish drama, exploring complex themes of mental health, loss and guilt in a raw, yet sensitive, manner.
"King Frankie" introduces Broughshane teenager Claudia Beatty as a young actor with Down’s Syndrome who enjoys a special bond with Frankie as he drives her about. Belfast actor Conor MacNeill (The Tourist, Industry, The Sixth Commandment, Derry Girls) also delivers a strong performance as the hotel manager given the run-around by Frankie.
Sara Gunn-Smith, Film Hub NI says: “The profile of Irish film has grown significantly over the past decade, so we are delighted to kick off the New Year with a special tour for this incredible debut film by Writer/Director Dermot Malone, who leads the young and creative Banjoman team who brought the story of King Frankie to screen on a micro budget.
“The film charts the life of a man who enjoyed huge financial success during the Celtic Tiger years, but got badly burned. It’s a story of pain, grief and loss but also redemption, change and hope which we feel audiences will appreciate.
"It fits perfectly with Film Hub’s aim to ensure that the widest selection of independent film is available to diverse audiences in Northern Ireland. We’re also delighted to welcome some of the film’s cast and crew for Q&As at our Film Hub member screenings in Newcastle, Bangor, Belfast and Ballymena.”
Eleven venues will be showing King Frankie as part of this Film Hub NI Collective Tour which starts at the Aurora Community Cinema, Rostrevor on Friday 31 January and ends at The Braid, Ballymena on Saturday 1 March with a special Mayoral reception for local actor Claudia Beatty.
Dermot Malone, Writer / Director, Banjoman says: “We are so happy to be able to work with Film Hub NI to bring King Frankie to audiences right across the north. I hope that people find a connection with Frankie and can take from his story that everyone deserves a second chance. I look forward to joining some of the screenings and hearing what audiences think.”.
Filmed on location in Dublin and Meath, "King Frankie" is the debut film from Banjoman Productions, released by leading Irish distributor Wildcard.
The full list of FHNI Collective Tour dates and venues is below.
Venue Date
Aurora Community Cinema (Rostrevor) Friday 31st January
Newcastle Community Cinema Friday 31st January
Fermanagh Film Club Tuesday 4th February
The Court House (Bangor) Wednesday 5th February
Portrush Film Theatre Thursday 6th February
Nerve Centre (Derry) Thursday 6th February
Subterranean Community Cinema (Omagh) Tuesday 18th February
Ormeau Community Cinema (Belfast) Wednesday 19th February
Down Arts Centre (Downpatrick) Thursday 20th February
Queen's Film Theatre (Belfast) Friday 21st February
The Braid (Ballymena) Saturday 1st March
For ticket information and timings, please visit: https://www.filmhubni.org/now-showing-tags/collective/
Film Hub NI is part of the BFI Film Audience Network supported through National Lottery funding, distributed by the British Film Institute.