That They May Face the Rising Sun

Adapted from John McGahren’s final novel of the same name, Pat Collins’s That They May Face the Rising Sun sees aspiring writer John (Barry Ward) and his artist wife Kate (Anna Bederke) return to the rural Irish community where he grew up. Living on a quiet little farm, John spends his days working on a novel that he never gets closer to finishing, while Kate weaves plants into ornate sculptures for no specific reason. Their peaceful existence is only interrupted by the small group of neighbours who drop by for a chat and a cigarette at their kitchen table as everything moves at its own pace over the course of a year. Although some may be put off by the aimless nature of the plot, there’s an arresting tenderness at the heart of this tranquil reflection on life.

Opening with a long shot of the gorgeous Irish countryside, this film immediately immerses viewers in its tone, as gentle piano music and birdsong accompany the opening credits. The stunning scenery of the small island the feature takes place on is the real main character, with eye-widening scenes of rolling green hills and golden sunshine reflecting on a lake’s surface making viewers long to envelop themselves in these surroundings. Moreover, while John and the other islanders go through the motions of their day-to-day lives, the scenery is the only thing that goes through any real change throughout the year. As John poignantly describes the transition to autumn in his novel, the skeletal wooden frame of a shed sits untouched in the garden.

There’s a playful sense of humour in the characters’ interactions, especially when it comes to the blunt honesty of gruff caretaker Patrick (Lalor Roddy), but there’s also a bittersweet melancholy shared between the key players in some of the quieter moments. Patrick, for example, longs to recapture his dreams of becoming an actor, whereas Johnny (Sean McGinley) has had to make the most out of his life not turning out how he wanted it to.

The result is a staggeringly beautiful and delicately moving drama, which thoughtfully examines life in a close-knit rural community.

Andrew Murray

That They May Face the Rising Sun is released in select cinemas on 26^th April 2024.

Watch the trailer for That They May Face the Rising Sun here: