Projects in genres: Northern Irish

Synopsis

Inspired by a heart-breaking true story, 'The Climb' quietly explores the concept of feeling connected to someone you have lost by immersing yourself in something they love. The painful act of remembering by doing.

Synopsis

A dramatization of the events preceding the historic 2006 St. Andrews Agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland after years of violent strife between Unionist and Republican factions.
The extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness — who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of modern history.
It is at this moment the two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge an unexpected friendship that would lead to them being known as “The Chuckle Brothers.”
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2016 - Special Presentations

Synopsis

'She knew he would find her. Many had told her, that one day he would come.' An experimental short with elements of fine art.

Synopsis

Documenting the life of Michael Pike, a veteran of the British army who struggled with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences in Northern Ireland.

Synopsis

By the early 1980s, after two decades of violence and unrest, the situation in Northern Ireland took a sudden and profound turn inside the infamous Maze Prison. Seeking the right to be treated as political prisoners rather than common criminals, Irish Republicans led by Bobby Sands began a prison hunger strike that would draw international attention to the conflict. In the 66 days that he refused food, Sands would be elected to the British Parliament, put the Irish Republican struggle centre stage on the world news agenda, and pay the ultimate price for his political convictions.
The film combines a powerful mosaic of archival materials, reconstructions and the illuminating accounts of former prisoners, commentators and key players in the drama. With Sands' evocative prison diary at its core, the film brings fresh insight to an iconic figure who single-handedly created a transformative moment in Ireland's history that had global aftershocks. (Hot Docs brochure)
Hot Docs 2016 - World premiere

Synopsis

Some things can only be understood with maturity. New light is shed on childhood cultural misunderstandings when a Chinese mother and her British-born daughter speak as adults for the first time.
Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2017 - International Documentary Short Film Selection

Synopsis

The newly appointed Truth Commissioner to Northern Ireland uncovers some bloody and inconvenient truths about those now running the country; truths which no one wants revealed.

Synopsis

A moving documentary that explores contemporary Northern Ireland, through the lives of four men living in the aftermath of violent conflict; a story about reimagined identity of place and the fragility of masculinity.
Contextualised by the country's past the film is firmly rooted in Northern Ireland today, as a population struggles to come to terms with the horrors and the sacrifices of its past and the men turn to face a future defined by their hopes, rather than regret.
Filmed over a year with the men in and around their homes, the filmmakers focussed on the stories that took place long after the news cameras had left the story that was Northern Ireland.
Thirty years of violence came to an end in a 1998 peace deal, and the door on almost relentless media interest also closed. But the lives of those affected indirectly or otherwise by the so-called ‘Troubles’ continued…
In a society where masculinity has long been measured in violence and aggression, what happens to the identities of men when the Troubles end and the roles previously held are no longer accepted or needed?

Synopsis

Born in dramatic circumstances under the Christmas Star, Noelle believes she has the gift to perform strange miracles. When conniving developer McKerrod threatens her peaceful life she teams up with a misfit gang to save the village from demolition. However, one by one her friends lose faith in Noelle’s abilities and she is left to fight Mckerrod on her own. It all hinges on a final showdown in Belfast’s historic Stormont building as Noelle implores politicians, her friends and the watching world to believe in the true meaning of Christmas…love.

Synopsis

Sandy leads a comfortable life in Belfast. He is a university professor and a regular guest on a popular television arts programme, and his one novel, though published many years ago, is still in print and regarded a classic. But Sandy has a habit of nicking things. Shoplifting has become the one little thrill in his overly domesticated life - but when Sandy gets caught by Robert, a desperately lonely security guard, his life is turned inside out.
Toronto International Film Festival 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

Nineteen-time champion jump jockey AP McCoy (aka Tony McCoy) has notched up more than 4,300 wins, 700 falls, 40 broken bones and a BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2010 across a near 25-year racing career.
This documentary follows AP in the final year of his extraordinary career as he fights to become champion for an unbelievable 20th time and faces a future out of the saddle. Made with exclusive access to the Northern Irish jockey, his family and racing teams for the 2014-15 season.
Toronto International Film Festival 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

Meet Brian, a Belfast storyteller, for a trip down memory alley and his colourful tales of the highlife, the lowlife and his cat. But in Brian's world things aren’t always what they seem and we soon discover his extraordinary optimism has been shaped by dark events.