Just in time to get you in a St. Paddy’s Day mood, the SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre has an offering of Irish-centric films all month, including John Sayles’ 1994 fantasy adventure classic The Secret of Roan Inish, based on Rosalie K. Fry’s 1957 novel Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry. The story explores Irish folklore about selkies, seals that can shed their skin and become human, though the sea is always calling them back.
Set in 1946, after her father’s illness and the death of her mother, young Fiona (Jeni Courtney) is sent to live with her grandparents in a small Irish fishing village. She hears stories about her family’s history and connection to their ancestral home Rón Inis, the “Island of Seal,” as well as a story from her distant cousin, Tadhg (John Lynch), about a shared ancestor who married a selkie. Fiona’s own younger brother, Jamie, was lost to the sea, though legend suggests selkies may be caring for him.
Sayles is a wonderful director at the top of his game, coming off Matewan, Eight Men Out, City of Hope, and Passion Fish. He followed it up with Lone Star. It’s a lovely family gem. (103 min.)
This article appears in Mar 6-16, 2025.