Cillian Murphy Stars in Cork’s Sounds From A Safe Harbour Festival

Cillian Murphy is set to take centre stage at this year’s Sounds From A Safe Harbour festival, marking a significant moment in his career. The Cork-born actor, who has been part of the festival’s curation team since its inception in 2015, will present the European premiere of his latest film, Steve, at the Arc cinema in Cork on September 11, 2023. This event represents only Murphy’s second film premiere in his hometown, following the launch of The Wind That Shakes the Barley in 2006.

The film Steve, based on a novel by fellow co-curator Max Porter, recently debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival where it garnered positive reviews. Irish Examiner critic Declan Burke praised the film, giving it five stars and describing it as “a gripping drama infused with mordant humour.” Following its premiere, Steve will be released in Irish cinemas later this month and will stream on Netflix starting October 3.

Festival Highlights and Murphy’s Musical Journey

The festival kicks off with a tribute to the late Cork musician Eoin French (also known as Talos) at the city’s Opera House. In addition to showcasing Steve, Murphy has contributed to the festival’s expanded film segment, which includes music documentaries focusing on notable artists such as Jeff Buckley, Dónal Lunny, and Broken Social Scene. The drama Train Dreams, scored by co-curator Bryce Dessner, will also have its Irish premiere at the Arc cinema.

In an engaging conversation, Murphy reflected on his own musical history, revealing that his first purchased album was The Final Countdown by Europe, which he bought on cassette. He recalled borrowing albums from the City Library, including works by The Frank and Walters and The Beatles, which significantly shaped his musical tastes.

When asked about his first concert experience, Murphy reminisced about attending a performance by The Frames at Nancy Spain’s when he was around 14 years old. He also noted attending a concert by The Frank & Walters at City Hall during the same period.

Festival Experiences and Anticipation

Murphy confirmed that he has attended music festivals, recalling a muddy experience at an early Oxegen festival. Despite his distaste for camping, he prefers attending concerts and then heading to a pub, rather than staying overnight. He fondly remembers watching festivals like Glastonbury from home.

A missed opportunity stands out in Murphy’s memory; while traveling in France during the era of Radiohead’s OK Computer, he had tickets to see them perform in an amphitheater. Unfortunately, a storm led to the cancellation of the concert. Although he has seen the band since, he still regrets missing that particular show.

As for his most memorable performance at the Sounds From A Safe Harbour festival, Murphy cited Bon Iver‘s concert at the Opera House in 2017. He attended with playwright Enda Walsh, just before rehearsals for Grief Is The Thing With Feathers. Murphy expressed how captivated he was by Bon Iver’s stage presence, noting the importance of a performer’s ability to convey confidence and vulnerability to the audience.

Looking ahead to this year’s festival, Murphy expressed excitement for spontaneous performances that often arise during the event. He described his enthusiasm for unannounced gigs, mentioning the thrill of receiving a last-minute text about a show and rushing to attend.

As the festival approaches, Murphy’s involvement highlights the unique blend of music and film that characterizes Sounds From A Safe Harbour, promising an event filled with artistic celebration and community spirit.