Calvary director John Michael McDonagh has been attacked for claiming the film isn’t Irish – because it’s actually good.
The filmmaker said that other Irish flicks weren’t “intelligent” or “technically accomplished”, leading to a huge backlash from fans.
And in an interview with Associated Interview insisted that audiences are “hesitant about going to see” Irish films because they know most “aren’t very good”.
He said: “I’m not a big fan of Irish movies. I don’t find them to be technically that accomplished and I don’t find them that intelligent.
“I’m trying to get away from the description of the movie as an Irish film.It’s not an Irish film. It’s just set in Ireland with lots of Irish characters.”
However fans have attacked McDonagh for taking funding off the Irish Film Board, while at the same time claiming it isn’t an Irish film.
He has taken over €1.7million in his career from the Irish Film Board for Calvary and The Guard.
Controversial: Fans have blasted McDonagh’s comments | VIPIRELAND.COM
Calvary, which has now gone on to become successful in America, took €1.6million at the Irish box office and The Guard took over €4 million.
In a statement, the Irish Film Board’s chief executive James Hickey insisted that Irish films are good.
He said: “The Irish film industry continues to grow from strength to strength, with Irish creative talent gaining international recognition at the highest levels of the industry at all levels of production.
“Filmmakers and the creative talent behind Irish films such as The Stag, Frank, What Richard Did, The Secret of Kells, Pilgrim Hill, The Hardy Bucks Movie, Good Vibrations and The Summit amongst many others are being recognised across the globe for their excellent work.”
