Watch Wren Boys

Wren Boys is a moving and poignant short film from Ireland that explores themes such as loss, grief, masculinity, and tradition. Directed and co-written by Harry Lighton, the film follows a group of Catholic seminarians who travel from their rural seminary to Dublin on Christmas Day as part of an annual pilgrimage known as the Wren Boys.

The Wren Boys is a centuries-old tradition in Ireland that involves young boys dressing up in masks and costumes made from straw and going door-to-door on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th) to sing and collect money for charity. The tradition has its roots in pagan rituals and the legend of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was betrayed by a wren's song.

In the film, the main character, Cadhla (played by Diarmuid Noyes), is dealing with the recent loss of his father and struggling to come to terms with his emotions. Cadhla's fellow seminarians, including his roommate, Ian (played by Stevie Raine), try to reach out to him and offer support, but Cadhla is reluctant to open up.

As the Wren Boys make their way through Dublin, Cadhla and his fellow seminarians encounter various characters and situations that challenge their views on religion, sexuality, and gender. For example, they meet a transgender woman who is kicked out of her family's home for the holidays, and a group of gay men celebrating Christmas together.

Throughout the film, there is a palpable sense of tension and conflict between the traditional values of the Catholic Church and the changing social norms of modern Ireland. The Wren Boys themselves become a metaphor for this clash of cultural identities, as they struggle to reconcile their conservative Catholic beliefs with the realities of a world that is rapidly changing around them.

The film is shot in a naturalistic style that emphasizes the grit and texture of the urban landscape of Dublin, as well as the stark beauty of the Irish countryside. The cinematography by Nick Morris is particularly striking, making effective use of the muted color palette and the long shadows cast by the winter sun.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Diarmuid Noyes giving a particularly nuanced and understated turn as Cadhla. Lalor Roddy, who plays the seminary's rector, also delivers a memorable performance, conveying a quiet wisdom and compassion that belies his stern exterior.

Overall, Wren Boys is a thought-provoking and deeply affecting film that explores complex themes with sensitivity and intelligence. It is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope for redemption and renewal.

Wren Boys is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 11 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.