John Carney’s latest feature, Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, will conclude this year’s Dublin Film Festival, serving as a fitting finale to the celebration of cinema.
On March 1st at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the film will have its world premiere in Dublin. Produced by John Carney, Robert Walpole, Rebecca O’Flanagan, Anthony Bregman, and Peter Cron, the film is distributed by Lionsgate Films.
The story centers on Rick (Paul Rudd), an aging wedding singer, who meets Danny (Nick Jonas), a former boyband star on the decline, during a performance. They connect through music and a late-night jam session, forming an unexpected friendship. But when they return to their separate lives, they soon realize that their brief meeting will change everything in surprising and very different ways.
Building on his forward momentum, Carney made a pivotal choice in the 1990s when he walked away from his role as bassist for The Frames to pursue filmmaking.
In 2007, Carney’s film Once won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and introduced his distinct “modern musical” style to the world.
His standout projects include Begin Again (2013), Sing Street (2016), and Flora and Son (2023). He also led the Amazon Prime anthology series Modern Love as showrunner from 2019 to 2021.
Paul Rudd is known for his charm, humor, and wide range of roles. He has starred in films such as Ant-Man, Clueless, and This Is 40. In Power Ballad, he brings his signature warmth and comedic timing to a character searching for meaning and connection.
Nick Jonas adds fresh energy to the film. Best known as a member of the Jonas Brothers, he has also built a strong acting career. His past roles include Kingdom, Jumanji, and Scream Queens. In this film, he combines his acting skills with his musical background, making him a perfect fit for the story.