Ireland 1977. Eleven-year-old Damian Lynch is called in at the last moment to serve as an altar boy at an important mass in his local parish. Following his last appearance as an altar boy when he knocked Father O'Toole off the altar, Damien is serving a 3 month ban from his only passion in life...football. To make matters worse, Damian's team, Liverpool FC, are playing in their first European cup final in two weeks time. Damien's father offers him a reprieve and crucially a chance to see the European cup final if he serves the mass correctly. Damien now faces a choice: either conform to the status quo or never watch his beloved Liverpool play again...
Acting
Scott Graham's desperate altar boy energy is *chef's kiss*
Writing
Economic storytelling—every second earns its keep
Production
Seventies Ireland recreated in gloriously drab detail
Director
Peter McDonald
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Peter McDonald co-wrote the Oscar-nominated short 'Six Shooter' with Martin McDonagh—this shares that same pitch-black Irish humor.
Liverpool's 1977 European Cup win was their first; the entire city stopped that night. Damian's desperation is historically accurate working-class devotion.
IE
