Synopsis

How many times could you find the love of your life? As the title implies, might it really be just once in a lifetime? A Dubliner musician, who also cleans vacuums at his father’s shop, meets a young Czech girl selling roses on the same street where he sings. Attracted by his song, the girl, who is also a pianist, finds him again with her broken vacuum. Drawn together by their passion for music, they soon come to sing together at the music shop. Though he had been depressed after a recent breakup, he''s inspired by the Czech girl to work on his first album. With its heartfelt, straightforward style, this low-budget Irish film has been enthusiastically received by audiences for the charming romance that springs out of an accidental encounter, and the unforgettable music. Recipient of the Audience Awards at the Sundance Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival earlier this year, had an unprecedented run of 126 screens in the U.S. even though it originally only screened in two theaters in May. The two main characters are played by real-life musicians Glen Hansard, who is the lead vocalist of the popular Irish rock band The Frames, and Czech composer Marketa Irglova. The director John Carney even plays bass. Unlike classical musical films, this film showcases the beauty of modern musical film in a story propelled by enchanting songs composed and performed by the two leading actors.

Director

John Carney

Born in Dublin in 1972, John Carney began directing films through his work on videos for his past band, The Frames, where he had previously worked as a bassist. He also won several awards for his short films *Shining Star* and *Hotel*, which he wrote, produced, and directed. He went on to make feature films such as *November Afternoon*, *On Time*, and *The Edge* and also participated in writing and directing TV scripts.