Full details of an under-the-radar and low-budget Irish feature starring Barry Keoghan have been revealed alongside a couple of first look images from the film.
“Lemonade,” written and directed by documentary filmmaker Kim Barley in her narrative feature debut, was shot earlier this year in Dublin. Set amid Ireland’s care system, the film is described as a story about “first loves, second chances and the power of human connection.”
The film follows teenager Danny, who after making a mistake that could derail his future, unexpectedly reconnects with Josh, a social worker who once tried to help him but whose own mistakes drove them apart. When their paths cross again, Josh becomes both mentor and mirror, guiding Danny on his journey to manhood- through first love and loves lost. Along the way Danny discovers that family is not always the one you are born into, but the one that believes in you when no one else will.
Playing the lead role of Danny is rising Irish star Lewis Brophy, recently seen in acclaimed local feature and Berlinale prizewinner “Christy.” Keoghan, meanwhile, stars as Josh. The principal cast also includes Carla Tous, Eileen Walsh and Imelda May.
Producers on “Lemonade” are Rachel Lysaght and Farah Abushwesha, while exec producers include Bartley, Geraldine East, Niamh Fagan, Desmond Byrne, Lorcan Kavanagh, Peg Cafferty, Deepak Sikka, Mark Foligno and Sire Ramos. Keoghan also exec produces for his new producton company Wolfcub, which at this year’s Cannes saw its debut feature “Butterfly Jam” (starring Keoghan) open the Directors’ Fortnight competition.
Speaking to Variety ahead of Cannes, Keoghan discussed “Lemonade,” describing it as having considerable parallels with his own upbringing as a foster child in Dublin. “There are moments in ‘Lemonade’ when I was like, this is too to-the-bone,” he said. “Honestly, it makes me emotional just chatting about it, but it’s beautiful.”
Behind the camera on the feature, Colm Hogan served as cinematographer, Paul Mullen as editor, Tamara Conboy as production designer and Louise Stanton as costume designer. John Brennan, Daniel Bodsworth, Rob Hughes and Mark Langlay-Smith oversaw sound, while the original score was written by Siôn Trefor, Ioana Șelaru and Galia Arad.
“Lemonade” is an Underground Films and Rocliffe Productions co-production, in association with Play House Studios and with the participation of Coimisiún na Meán. It was supported by Screen Ireland.