Disney+ Acquires Irish Short Film “Brown Bread”

Disney is continuing to build out its European lineup for Disney+ with the acquisition of the Irish short film “Brown Bread”, which is available now on Disney+ across Europe.

The short film recently premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh, and it was written/directed by Shaunagh Connaire.  It stars Fionnula Flanagan (“Lost,” “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”), Katie McGrath (“Merlin,” “Supergirl”) and Dermot Crowley (“Luther: The Fallen Sun,” “The Death of Stalin”).

Inspired by Connaire’s own experience of being unable to travel to Ireland from the U.S. to attend her godmother’s funeral, the story follows Áine (McGrath), a woman whose return to Ireland from New York to attend her godmother’s memorial mass stirs up old tensions, grief, and unspoken affection in her rural family home. Flanagan stars as Betty, a proud but emotionally restrained mother struggling with her daughter’s return, while Crowley plays Áine’s father, Seamus.

Shaunagh Connaire said in a statement regarding the film arriving on Disney+:

“Having my first scripted film acquired by Disney so early in its life is so wonderful.  I wanted to tell a story rooted in Irish life but expansive enough to travel. To see that belief reflected in a global acquisition like this is incredibly affirming, and a reminder that small, specific stories can resonate far beyond where they begin.”

The short has been produced by Julie Ryan through her production company MK1 Studios, who said in a statement regarding the Disney+ release:

“From the outset, we felt Brown Bread was a very special film, not because it was trying to be big, but because it was precise, truthful and emotionally brave.  We were always thinking globally, and Shaunagh has an extraordinary instinct for character and tone that allows stories rooted in place to travel. Seeing a film made in rural Longford now finding a home with Disney reinforces our belief that stories rooted in Irish life can resonate well beyond their place of origin.

“Brown Bread” was filmed in Connaire’s hometown of Longford, Ireland. Funding was provided by Creative Ireland, with additional support from Sam and Amelia Dennigan and Anne Heraty, who served as Associate Producers. The film is distributed by Network Ireland.

Roger’s Take: Disney+ is required to have a certain amount of content created within Europe, and this is a major reason why Disney has been licensing more and more content from European producers.  It’s great to see “Brown Bread” is getting a Disney+ release to get more attention.

Will you be checking out “Brown Bread” on Disney+?  Let me know on social media!