One Sweet Hour

Local title
Üks ilus hetk
Original title
One Sweet Hour
Director
Declan Recks
Country
Year
2026

A bittersweet comedy about two estranged brothers travelling through magical central Ireland.

Gerry is a man in his 50s who has chosen a canal boat as his permanent home and earns a living by impersonating Elvis Presley across various rural locations. Although he has a sweetheart in practically every village, Gerry still feels terribly lonely.

Unexpectedly, one day his brother Colum, who has lived in a monastery under a vow of silence for 30 years, shows up on the boat wanting to spend time with him after their father’s death. Together they embark on a journey along the canals, during which Gerry gives both successful and less successful performances as Elvis Presley. Although he appears healthy, Gerry is battling inner demons that have followed him like a shadow since childhood.

“One Sweet Hour” proved to be the last role for the Irish theatre and film actor Gary Lydon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”). Together with co-star Brían F. O'Byrne (“Conclave”), Lydon forms one half of a conflicted pair of estranged brothers who are actually remarkably similar at heart. Together, they overcome a shared traumatic past and face a rather unpredictable future.

Helmut Jänes

Director
Declan Recks
Screenwriter
Eugene O'Brien
Producer
david Collins, Eamon Hughes
Cast
Gary Lydon, Brian F O'Byrne, Helen Behan
Cinematographer
Owen McPolin
Editing
Gareth Young
Production Design
John Hand
Production
Samson Films
Runtime
Language
Subtitles
Declan Recks
Director
Biography

Declan Recks has directed some of the top-rated shows on Irish television. His debut feature film, “Eden” was the closing film at the 2008 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, had its North American premiere at Tribeca and was released theatrically in the US to critical acclaim. His film “The Truth Commissioner” was nominated for Best Drama at the 2016 Celtic Media Awards. Also in 2016, “The Flag” was released in cinemas and was the number one film screened on Irish TV on Christmas Day that year. His TV credits include episodes of “Death in Paradise” and “Nova Jones” for BBC Studios and “Red Election”. The 2022 feature film “Tarrac” premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh and was released theatrically in 2023 autumn.

Filmography

Making Ends Meet (1999, short), Eden (2008), The Truth Commissioner (2016), The Flag (2016), Tarrac (2022), One Sweet Hour (2026)

Grand Prix for The Best Film, grant of 20 000 euros from the city of Tallinn, Award for Best Director, grant of 5000€ from Alexela

Screenings

1st Lux Hall Apollo Kino Plaza
Screening110119 / Üks ilus hetk
SubtitlesEstonian
Screening duration
Screening124119 / Üks ilus hetk
SubtitlesEstonian
Screening duration
Trailer