The Mad Hannans

A sensation in the local music scene, the Mad Hannans have entertained crowds with their distinctive brand of Irish folk rock for over a decade. Now, director Martin Shore brings a highly personal portrait of the band founded by brothers Jerry and Sean Hannan, as their modest origins escalate into a cult following at bars and festivals all over Marin County. From Larkspur to Nicasio and Mill Valley, our own backyard serves as an affectionate backdrop to a creative collaboration that was often contentious but always filled with familial love and support, especially when events take a tragic turn. Filled with home movies, never-before-seen studio sessions, and a collection of fans ranging from Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison to filmmaker Sean Penn, The Mad Hannans reminds us that the ties that bind are also often the bonds that allow for the most liberating form of self-expression. (Mill Valley Film Festival)