In cinemas now “Wildfire” follows two sisters in an Irish border town as they come to terms with their mother’s mysterious death.
The film is written and directed by Cathy Brady in her feature debut and stars Nora-Jane Noone (Brooklyn, The Magdalene Sisters) who I spoke with about making such a blistering female-driven drama.
“Wildfire” is the final film to also star Danika “Nika” McGuigan as the 33-year-old daughter of former boxing champion Barry McGuigan died two years ago following a short illness.
The film received its World Premiere to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020 and Nika McGuigan posthumously won Best Actress Film at the 2021 IFTA Film and Drama Awards for her performance in the film.
“Wildfire” was filmed in locations across the island of Ireland including Belfast, Newry, Narrow Water, Dundalk and Dublin.
MORE ABOUT “WILDFIRE”
Born within a year of each other, Lauren (Nora-Jane Noone) and Kelly (Nika McGuigan) are ‘Irish twins’. You’d never see one without the other, but over the years the mystery of their mother’s death tore them apart. Kelly, keen to escape their insular town, drifted away and disappeared a year ago. Lauren’s life has been on hold since reporting her sister missing.
Kelly’s unexpected return sees a surge of every raw emotion between the sisters. Lauren doesn’t know whether to kiss her or hit her. But as they begin to relive memories of their mother, the sisters become inseparable. Their bond stronger than ever and Kelly’s desire for the truth is dangerously reignited. As Kelly digs deeper, not everyone is ready. In this border town secrets are meant to stay buried, and Lauren has been keeping the biggest one of all.
As the truth about their mother begins to surface, Kelly’s mood darkens. But Lauren is blinded, around Kelly she feels alive again, her marriage and job pale in comparison. The town is starting to notice, rumours about the girls’ strange behaviour spread like wildfire. Lauren must decide to confront their mother’s past with Kelly or risk losing her for good. Time is running out and no one can be trusted. The sisters must escape and face the truth or be consumed by the town and its lies.
