The Dig is a 2018 Irish drama film directed by Andy Tohill and Ryan Tohill, from a screenplay by Stuart Drennan. The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was produced by Brian J. Falconer for Northern Irish firm Out of Orbit.
Plot A father, Sean McKenna (Cranitch), becomes obsessed with finding the body of his murdered daughter, Niamh. The murderer, Ronan Callahan (Dunford), is released from jail after serving a 15-year sentence. At first, he wants Sean off his land, but then decides to help dig for Niamh's missing body in the bog. Sean tells Ronan he must dig until he is dead, as a curse, but Ronan replies "I will", as a promise. He pours the old alcohol in his house down the drain, but - egged on by the aggressive police officer (Magee) who arrested him - eventually drinks shots in a pub, hoping to remember the act of murder and where he buried the girl. He develops a relationship with the victim's sister, Roberta (Taaffe). Ronan has flashbacks that revealed his father had abused his mother, who died when he was 14. Ronan and Sean vow not to stop digging. Ronan eventually remembers a detail that proves he is not the murderer.thefilmstage.com The Dig review Jared Mobarak, September 9, 2018
Cast Moe Dunford as Ronan Callahan Lorcan Cranitch as Sean McKenna Emily Taaffe as Roberta McKenna Francis Magee as Murphy Katherine Devlin as Siobhan
Reception Critical response
Accolades YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResultRef.2018British Independent Film AwardsThe Discovery AwardBrian J. Falconer,Andy Tohill,Ryan Tohill,Stuart DrennanCork International Film FestivalGradam Spiorad na Féile (Spirit of the Festival Award)Andy Tohill &Ryan TohillGalway Film FleadhFeature Film Awardrowspan="2" 2019Dublin Film Critics' Circle AwardsBest Irish FilmNewport Beach Film FestivalBreakthrough Award - Breakthrough ArtistMoe DunfordJury Award - Best Actor2020IFTA Film & Drama AwardsBest Film 2019Brian J. FalconerBest Actor in a Lead Role - FilmMoe DunfordBest Actor in a Supporting Role - FilmLorcan CranitchBest Actress in a Supporting Role - FilmEmily Taaffe
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