‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’ Cinematographer Ben Davis On The Importance Of The Film’s Financial Success: “I Look At Where Cinema Is At The Moment, And I’m Concerned” — Camerimage

deadline.com:

British cinematographer Ben Davis is an early awards frontrunner for his work on Martin McDonagh’s latest The Banshees of Inisherin, but he told Deadline that his focus remains firmly on the film’s financial performance. “My priorities with Banshees are I want the film to be good, and I want it to succeed financially,” he told Deadline during a sit-down at the Camerimage film festival in Torun, Poland. “I look at where cinema is at the moment, particularly independent cinema, and I’m concerned.

I know a lot of studios are looking, and these films aren’t making the money they did pre-pandemic.” Banshees opened to an estimated $181,000 and a per-screen average of $45,250.

The film currently sits over $15 million worldwide. The flick is the third collaboration between Davis and McDonagh. Set in 1923 on the fictional island of Inisherin on the coast of Ireland, the film follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship.

A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán, attempts to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve, and when Colm delivers a violent ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.