That They May Face the Rising Sun
Joe and Kate Ruttledge return from London to the lakeside village where Joe grew up and plunge into the rhythms of a place that keeps its own clock. The film follows a year in their days and in the lives of a close circle of neighbors, tracing work at the docks, late conversations after supper,... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About That They May Face the Rising Sun
Joe and Kate Ruttledge return from London to the lakeside village where Joe grew up and plunge into the rhythms of a place that keeps its own clock. The film follows a year in their days and in the lives of a close circle of neighbors, tracing work at the docks, late conversations after supper, and the small rituals that mark the seasons. Around the water, boats and cottages, the local pub becomes a stage for memory, laughter, and quiet worry. As the year turns, the enclosed world of this community widens in feeling, turning ordinary moments into broader questions of belonging and change. Its quiet, observational style invites viewers to lean in and notice how small acts connect people.
Directed by Pat Collins, the drama adapts material by Éamon Little and John McGahern, anchoring its intimate lakeside portrait in the rhythms of a small community, with Barry Ward, Anna Bederke, Lalor Roddy, Sean McGinley and Ruth McCabe headlining, in a collaboration that aims for quiet authenticity.
Box office details have not been publicly disclosed and there is no widely reported box intake for the film. The title appears to have had a limited release in select markets, with no single global gross figure available.
Reception & Themes: Early notices describe the film as an intimate, observant drama about return and renewal, anchored in family ties and the rituals of work and seasons around a lake. It probes memory, community, and the pull between tradition and change within a close knit world. The film's quiet tone invites viewers to linger on everyday choices and the way small acts bind people across distances and time.
Awards: As of this writing there have been no major nominations or wins announced for That They May Face the Rising Sun. The film has drawn praise for its performances and direction in early reviews, but it has not entered major award contention.
What Viewers Are Saying
Viewers appreciate the film's understated and simple story, which many find deeply moving and effective in capturing rural Irish life. Audiences highlight the strong visual storytelling, with skillful use of sight and sound and nuanced performances, especially praising the subtlety in the actors' expressions and interactions. Some note the film's unconventional narrative structure and slower pacing, which may not appeal to all but contributes to its reflective and atmospheric tone. Overall, the movie is seen as a thoughtful, artful portrayal of tradition and change within a rural community.
Details
- Release Date
- April 26, 2024
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- User Ratings
- 9 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama
- Country
- Ireland
- Studio
- Break Out Pictures +3 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Barry Ward
Joe Ruttledge
Anna Bederke
Kate Ruttledge
Lalor Roddy
Patrick Ryan
Sean McGinley
Johnny Murphy
Ruth McCabe
Mary Murphy
Phillip Dolan
Jamesie Murphy
John Olohan
The Shah
Brendan Conroy
Bill Evans
Catherine Byrne
Susan Maguire
Patrick Ryan
Frank Dolan
Director: Pat Collins
Written by: Éamon Little, John McGahern