The times, they have a-changed (even if some politicians want to turn the clock back). It’s mindboggling to think that just 30 years ago the good women of Ireland would compete for the honour of Housewife of the Year — and a $500 stove — on a long running and very popular TV show of the same name. Key attributes for a contestant included culinary skills, an affable personality and even temperament… The ability to josh about your hard drinking hubbie and 14 kids always went down well. Filmmaker Ciarin Cassidy tracks down many of the winners, most of whom are as bemused as we are about their participation in this ritual. Their stories are often poignant, sometimes heartbreaking, and also droll.
The show ran for nearly three decades, but fizzled out very quickly once they adopted a gender-neutral Homemaker of the Year stance. Funny that.
Heartbreak and humour are in huge supply – the surreal archive footage takes care of the rest. Not to be missed. Four stars.
Chris Wasser, Sunday Independent
Ciarin Cassidy
Ireland
2024
English
Jury Award Winner Best Documentary at Newport Beach Film Festival; Best Irish Feature Documentary at the Film Fleadh
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Credits
Cinematography
Richard Kendrick, Jaro Waldeck
Editor
Cara Holmes
Original Music
Michael Fleming
Production Design
Emma Lowney
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