The Banshees of Inisherin, a film about friendship which features a donkey as one of its central characters, recently won four BAFTAs, including Outstanding British Film, and has received further merit at other high-profile awards.
A spokesperson from The Donkey Sanctuary described it as a film about companionship and true friendship.
“The bond between Padraic and Jenny symbolises true friendship,” they said. “Jenny the donkey is characteristically patient, loyal and reliable – the human friend we’d all love to have.”
Donkeys are having something of a moment in film, they noted. Banshees has had success at the Golden Globes as well as the BAFTAs; and EO, a film showing the world from the donkey’s perspective, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Banshees is also tipped for Oscars success.
“What’s so refreshing about the way donkeys have been portrayed in Banshees and EO is that they have been shown as the inquisitive, sensitive and loveable animals they are,” the spokesperson added. “Donkeys have been loyal and trusted companions to humans for millennia.
“We are delighted by the success of these films and the fact donkeys are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. We will certainly be keeping our fingers (and hooves!) crossed that EO, Jerzy Skolimowski’s sensitive and insightful portrayal of a donkey, takes home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.”
Lead image by The Donkey Sanctuary
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