MOVIE fans in Belfast can look forward to enjoying a screening of the Celtic Tiger film with a difference, ‘King Frankie’, as part of Film Hub NI’s special Collective programme which brings local films to local places via its network of community cinemas.
King Frankie tells the redemption story of Frankie Burke, with 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 woman with Down 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.
Corey McKinney of Ormeau Community Cinema said: “King Frankie is a wonderful Irish film and we are delighted to be able to show it at the Pavilion Bar on Wednesday, February 19 as part of Film Hub NI’s 2025 Collective tour.
“Dermot Malone’s ultimately hopeful parable about greed, guilt and redemption is served well by the ever-versatile Peter Coonan who conjures the many faces of Frankie – from repugnant to repentant – with ease.”
Sara Gunn-Smith of Film Hub NI said: “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.”
Dermot Malone, writer/director of Banjoman, said: “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.
King Frankie will be shown by the Ormeau Community Cinema on Wednesday, February 19 at 8pm at the Pavilion Bar, Ormeau Road, Belfast. Tickets cost £5 plus booking fee and can be booked online via https://www.ormeaucommunitycinema.com/events/king-frankie
Film Hub NI is part of the BFI Film Audience Network supported through National Lottery funding, distributed by the British Film Institute. For full details of all Film Hub NI King Frankie screenings visit: https://www.filmhubni.org/now-showing-tags/collective/
