The Irish box-office phenomenon The Young Offenders, a large portion of which was filmed in the West Cork area, has been picked up for official release in countries around the world.
BY HOLLIE COLLINS
THE Irish box-office phenomenon The Young Offenders, a large portion of which was filmed in the West Cork area, has been picked up for official release in countries around the world.
The film, which grossed over €1m in Ireland alone, has been obtained by Vertigo Releasing, a distribution company that plans to release the film in the US and Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The comedy was inspired by the true story of the seizure of €440m worth of cocaine off the coast of West Cork at Dunlough Bay, close to Mizen Head. Its narrative follows two rambunctious teenagers from the city centre travelling 160 kilometres on stolen bicycles in the hopes of salvaging some of the bales of cocaine that were lost in the ocean.
The film was written and directed by Peter Foott of Republic of Telly fame and features notable Irish comics such as Hillary Rose and PJ Gallagher, alongside newbie actors and Cork natives, Alex Murphy and Chris Walley. ‘The cast, crew and myself are delighted!
Having our film reach such a huge audience is incredible and we are so happy it’s Vertigo who are taking us on this journey,’ Foott said of this huge milestone for himself and all involved in this local film’s production.
Representatives of Vertigo Releasing expressed their delight at securing the deal, saying: ‘The Young Offenders is one of the funniest and freshest films we’ve seen in years and we’re thrilled to be working with Peter to bring the film to a UK and international audience.’
The Young Offenders, continues to screen in cinemas across Cork.
