“In the land of saints and sinners”, interview with director Robert Lorenz and actor Colm Meaney

September 7, 2023

Robert Lorenz and Colm Meany, director an actor, talk to FRED about their Irish thriller set in the 70's "In the land of saints and sinners"

"In the land of saints and sinners", interview with director Robert Lorenz and actor Colm Meaney David Martos

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Interview during the 80th edition of Venice International Film Festival with Robert Lorenz, director of the film “In the land of saints and sinners”, and actor Colm Meaney. The movie, premiered in Orizzonti Extra, takes us to Ireland during the 1970s, and tells the story of a hit man that decides to quit killing… until one last crime threatens to reveal his identity.

The film is the third installment in Lorenz’s directorial career, and during his conversation with FRED he reveals that with this particular script he wanted to immerse in a culture different than his. Meaney explains that he has travelled to the Mostra only after the movie was assigned a waiver from SAG-Aftra, in the middle of a strike.

“In the land of saints and sinners” tells the story of a hit man -portrayed by Liam Neeson– who has been killing for years: his victims were also killers and assassins. After one last hit, a girl in his town reveals that she’s being mistreated by his uncle, and despite his initial intentions of quitting his “job”, Neeson’s character decides to help her.

Plot

Ireland, 1970s. Eager to leave his dark past behind, Finbar Murphy leads a quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, far from the political violence that grips the rest of the country. When a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, led by a ruthless woman named Doirean, Finbar soon discovers that one of them has been abusing a local young girl. Drawn into an increasingly vicious game of cat and mouse, Finbar must choose between exposing his secret identity or defending his friends and neighbours.

Written by: David Martos

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia Orizzonti Extra