The Secret of Roan Inish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Secret of Roan Inish, an independent film directed by John Sayles, was released widely in 1994. It is centered on the Irish folklore of Selkies, people who can transform themselves into seals. The story is about Fiona, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandparents near the island of Roan Inish, where the Selkies are rumored to reside. It is an old family legend that her younger brother was swept away in his infancy and raised by a selkie. Part of the film takes place in Donegal.
The movie has been widely praised for its uniqueness and its breathtaking cinematography filmed by Haskell Wexler. The actors are also lauded, particularly Jeni Courtney as Fiona. The film is based on a book, The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry.
The Secret of Roan Inish is cautiously recommended for children due to the unusual pacing and atmosphere of the film. Viewers may be disturbed by unflinching shots of the young boy Jamie (Cillian Byrne) completely naked. The character of Jamie is an interesting example of a feral child.
[edit] External links
- The Secret of Roan Inish at the Internet Movie Database
- Rotten Tomatoes (a 100% fresh rating)
- Reviews and other resources from Mermaids on the Web
