This film is based on a production by Edna Walsh, which was first performed at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork, Ireland.  The play is based on two teenagers who have grown up together since infancy, living next door to each other and speaking a private language that only they understand.  For example, they live in Cork City, which they refer to as Pork Sity and call each other by pet names, the male character is Pig and the female character is Runt.  Their attachment to each other has a twin like nature; they’re every day routine identical.  The film was directed by Kirsten Sheridan and released in 2001 with the same name.  The film portrays the two teenagers as social outcasts, both exhilarated by violence and bullying.  Flashbacks to their childhood provide some explanations of their family situations and the audience develops some sense of reasoning behind their rebellious behaviour.   After a series of violent acts, Runt is sent to an intervention centre to learn a trade with the understanding that she can be rehabilitated; while it was believed that Pig has no hope of being reformed.  It is at this point when Pig feels more than friendship for Runt, he wants to move past their childhood infatuation and develop at man/woman relationship. Damien (Pig) is mentally and physically lost without Sinead (Runt) and sets out to find her in order to celebrate her birthday.  The celebration turns to jealousy, violence and murder.  Ric Knowles stated in his article on “Extract on Disco Pigs,” that Disco Pigs (the play) performed in Toronto received some ungenerous criticism, it was thought that the characters did not generate any valid sympathy and were rebellious pain in the butt teenagers.  I also had the same sentiment, wondering where the adults and authorities were to enforce discipline or responsibility in their lives.  I realized as Knowles points out, that this film needs to be viewed in the setting in which it was originally intended for, Fringe theatre, where plays are often performed late at night and in the environment of it’s characters.   The movie does an excellent job in isolating the main characters, which causes the audience to be either sympathetic or insensitive.  

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Knowle, Ric.  “Extract on Disco Pigs.”  Reading the Material Theatre. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2004.  P 195-200.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H98Njk29bU