Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Saipan Opens in UK Cinemas as Roy KeaneMick McCarthy Drama Draws Praise and Pushback

Filmmakers’ performance-led retelling faces factual challenges from 2002 Ireland squad members.

Overview

  • The film opened in UK cinemas on Jan. 23 to generally positive notices, with critics singling out Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan.
  • Sunrise Films acquired North American rights and scheduled a U.S. theatrical release for March 13.
  • Former Republic of Ireland players Kevin Kilbane and Dean Kiely say the movie embellishes events, disputing depictions of training without footballs and a boozy team culture.
  • Kilbane argues the climactic team-meeting scene is overstated and rejects a specific slur the film associates with Roy Keane.
  • Co-director Lisa Barros D’Sa says the filmmakers did not speak to Keane and he has not commented publicly; the film has multiple IFTA nominations.