Sanctuary

The film is adapted out of an original play that sold out during Galway Arts Festival 2 years ago. I really enjoyed the play initially and when I heard that it was to be adapted to a film I thought that it was a really good Idea. Rita (my baby sister) was really excited about working with all her buddies in Blue Teapot and acting which all our family knows comes extremely natural to her. However she didn't tell us anything about the script and told us to wait until it was produced. As the Film Fleadh approached we got our tickets and looked forward to the night. We were going to support our sister and her buddies as we had always done as we knew the work that Blue Teapot does is extremely important. What followed for the next hour and twenty seven minutes was a mixture of laughter and realisation of the real issues that affect people with intellectual disabilities. What you experienced if you'd seen the play was the director exploring the characters, each in their own little way and pushing the boundaries of what we who don't have a recognised intellectual disability see as completely normal. What you witnessed if you hadn't seen the play was a comedy that made you laugh out loud all through the film and again outside when you reviewed the various aspects with the fellow audience members. Even though its listed as a comedy the real underlining message of the original play was not lost, well done Christian O Reilly & Len Collin.

I met a colleague of mine after the show who had never seen the play or knew nothing about the cast or history, as we spoke it was on my mind that my bias was shadowing my review so I asked her what she thought, I was pleasantly surprised that she was absolutely blown away by the experience and I have no doubt you will too!

I just didn't find it very interesting. Yes, there were a few funny moments, it brought up a taboo subject, and had some emotional sub- plots. Overall, I found the dialogue to be very wooden, and the ending was just disappointing.

A wonderful film that makes you laugh out loud and seriously consider the way you view the world of intellectual disability. I didn't quite know what to expect when I arrived at The Lighthouse cinema to see Sanctuary, and found myself a bit nervous when I sat down and the film started. A rom-com about people with intellectual disabilities isn't exactly a common film theme. Within a few minutes, the comedy of the film (due to both a great script and a great cast) relaxed me, and I found myself laughing out loud. Would absolutely recommend for anyone looking for a rom-com that's different and genuinely hilarious.

Sanctuary explores the taboo subject of people with intellectual disabilities and sex. While some parts are heavy-handed, others will return to you over and over by the end of the film.

Like how vulnerable these people are, but where do you draw the line between treating them like children and treating them like adults?

It is heartbreaking in how it brings you in to the world of these characters, whose actors don't go home with a big pay-cheque and go on with their lives. This is their lives. These are the problems and struggles they deal with every day.

It jumps genre between drama and comedy better than I've seen most Hollywood films doing.

Watch it, please. It will break you, but you'll love it for it.

Sanctuary is such an amazing film !! At times the movie made me laugh and at times it's made me cry. Sanctuary has a wonderful real life issue to tell. The screenplay is WONDERFUL!! as well as an amazing direction by Len Collins !!

I Highly recommend anyone to watch this