Wren Boys

Streaming video - 2017

In his sermon on St Stephen’s Day, a priest from County Cork recalls the now-outdated wren hunting tradition. Boys on the cusp of manhood would be sent out to kill a wren, and later the parish would gather for the burial of the bird. The tradition symbolized the burial of the past, promising a fresh start in the new year. But it was cruel, and tradition, Father Conor concludes, does not legitimize cruelty. Later that day, Conor drives his nephew to prison to visit a battle-worn inmate. Their visit is one born of a new 21st Century Ireland, which casts a critical eye on tradition. But within the prison walls, progress operates at a different pace; and runs alongside the threat of violence. Nominated for a **BAFTA Award** for Best Short Fil...m. Nominated for Best Short Film at the **Sundance Film Festival** and **SXSW Film Festival.**  more