Celtic Utopia
Dennis Harvey & Lars Lovén / Sweden & Ireland / 2025 / 90 min
What does Irish folk music sound like in 2026? There are as many answers to that question as there are singers in the countless pubs where the genre is still kept alive throughout Ireland today.
Even after 100 years of independence from England, the colonial era still haunts the streets of Ireland, not least in folk music, which has been revived among a generation of young people who take pride in their Irish language and nationality.
‘Celtic Utopia’ unravels modern Irish history and introduces us to a refreshingly broad cast of characters, including pierced punks, rappers, and ravers, who come together to revive and reinterpret the classic folk music tradition with humor and renewed indignation. Prominent groups such as The Mary Wallopers and Lankum deliver sharp punchlines and even sharper songs, of which there are fortunately plenty in the film.