Horses

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Q&A with director Liz Mermin

An unusual, beautifully detailed documentary following a year in the lives of three charismatic Irish racehorses. Ireland’s horse-racing culture has produced some of the finest athletes in the world, and HORSES draws us into the lives of three of them over the course of a difficult racing year. The equine protagonists prove less reticent than one might imagine, and as we watch them train, rest, play, and race, distinct characters undeniably emerge. The human supporting actors are colorful and engaging, from their good-looking and foul-mouthed trainer to an elderly groom who obviously prefers horses to people, but overall the film is about what its like to be a racehorse. Without ever straying into Disney territory, and eschewing sentimentality, HORSES raises basic questions about what constitutes character and who can have it.

• Country USA
• Rating NR
• Year 2009
• Running Time 87 minutes
• Director Liz Mermin

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.