PÖFF: One Sweet Hour

PÖFF30 | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | 6-22 november 2026 | Cinema Artis

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