27 March. The eighth edition of the IrishFilmFesta screens Brendan Behan: The Roaring Boy on Friday 27 March at 19.00, at the Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese.

The 2014 documentary, directed by Maurice Sweeney, will be shown in its original language version with Italian subtitles. Like all other screenings at the festival, admission is free but guests are advised to arrive as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the four-day event.

Northern Irish actor, writer and director Adrian Dunbar has played Brendan Behan on stage many times, and now sets out on a journey to discover the real story behind the poet and playwright. Dunbar travels to all the cities in which Behan lived, to places where he is still highly regarded, including Paris, where it all began for him as a writer.

The documentary, which was shown on Irish television in December, includes contributions from film director Jim Sheridan, writer JP Donleavy, and actress Kathy Burke.

The Rome screening is followed by an interview with Dunbar by John McCourt of Roma Tre University and Susanna Pellis, director of the IrishFilmFesta.

Dunbar has worked extensively in film, television and theatre. Film credits include My Left Foot, The Crying Game, The General, Hear My Song, and Good Vibrations. Dunbar has played Behan in the play Brendan at the Chelsea, written by Brendan’s niece, Janet Behan.