In what’s set to be the next In Bruges, Night Boat to Tangiers features an all-star Irish cast in a new movie adaptation.
Based on the third novel by Kevin Barry, Night Boat to Tangiers tells the intricate story of two ageing Irish criminals, Maurice Hearne and Charlie Redmond.
Full of fascinating characters, sex, drugs, and corruption, the novel is set for a big screen adaptation with an all-star Irish cast.
Night Boat to Tangier – the next up-and-coming Irish masterpiece
If you liked the style of In Bruges, then Night Boat to Tangiers will be right up your alley. The novel is the third by Irish writer Kevin Barry. Published in 2019, it received a longlist nomination for the 2019 Booker Prize.
The story takes place across just 24 hours on 23 October 2018 in the terminal building at the port city of Algeciras in southern Spain.
It follows “fading gangsters from Cork City” Charlie Redmond and Maurice Hearne as they wait for Hearne’s missing daughter to pass through on a boat from Tangier, Morocco, or leave on one destined for there.
While they wait, the career criminals reminisce about time spent smuggling Moroccan hashish through Spain to Ireland.
Movie adaptation – a star-studded Irish cast
For the film adaptation of the novel, we will see Domhnall Gleeson (The Patient, Ex Machina) play Charlie. Alongside Gleeson’s Charlie, Michael Fassbender (Hunger, Shame) will play Maurice.
Ruth Negga (Passing, Loving) will play the part of Cynthia, the mastermind behind the criminal misdeeds. Keith Barry himself will be adapting the script. Meanwhile, Oscar-winner James Marsh (The Theory of Everything, Man on Fire) will be directing.
James Marsh said of the script, “Kevin’s script is a beautiful piece of writing. Underneath the dazzling surface wit and propulsive storytelling, there are surprising and very moving emotional undercurrents to be discovered.
“The story is built around love and tenderness amidst all the macho posturing and violence and the female characters are as strong and powerful as the men. It’s an incredibly exciting prospect”.
Production – hitting our screens next year
Turbine Studios’ award-winning Andrew Eaton and Conor McCaughan will produce the film. Eaton said of the script, “This is the best script I’ve ever had and it’s been a fun collaboration developing it with Michael and Conor at DMC Films.
“Working with James on Red Riding was one of my favourite filming experiences and it’s exciting to be back together. Hyde Park and Mogambo are perfect partners for this. We’re excited to be bringing this to market with such a strong team”.
The movie will play to prospective distributors in Cannes this May. As such, we should see the movie hit our screens sometime in 2024.
This year has been momentous for Irish movies and filmmakers. The industry scored huge success and recognition for the likes of The Banshees of Inisherin, An Cailín Ciúin, and An Irish Goodbye. So, could Night Boat to Tangiers be next in line to take award season by storm?
