Film Church with Martin McDonagh (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

McDonagh is notorious for his particular brand of blistering, postmodern dark comedy, which brilliantly slides into the extremes of ugliness, violence, and brutality in a way that might best be described as grotesquely absurd. Born in London to Irish immigrant parents, he began his career scripting radio plays and has since won two Olivier Awards and been nominated for four Tony Awards. His plays include The Lieutenant of Irishmore, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Pillowman. His first foray into filmmaking was the Oscar-winning short Six Shooter and In Bruges starring Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, and Ralph Fiennes is his first feature.