Yugoslavian director Goran Paskaljevic (CABARET BALKAN) helms the black comedy BITTER HARVEST (aka HOW HARRY BECAME A TREE). Based on a Chinese short story, the film is a tragicomedy set in 1920s Ireland. Colm Meaney plays Harry Maloney, who lives in the Irish countryside with his son Gus (Cillian Murphy). Harry has become angry and bitter with the world following the death of his wife and eldest son, and decides to give purpose to his life again by making enemies with George O'Flaherty, the local pub owner and one of the most popular men in town. As Harry fails to find reasons to hate O'Flaherty, his son falls for the pub's waitress Eileen, forcing Harry to negotiate a wedding settlement with his "enemy" and increasing his distaste for the other man. BITTER HARVEST was nominated for the Golden Lion Award at the 2001 Venice Film Festival.

release year: 2001

star(s): Cillian Murphy