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Project Detail

Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story

Synopsis

In 1960 a young Irish woman named Edna O'Brien wrote a sexually frank debut novel, 'The Country Girls'. She became a literary sensation, writing for The New Yorker, delivering provocative interviews, and authoring screenplays. Her success enraged her writer husband and made her a pariah in her native Ireland, where her books were banned and burned. She would make her home in London, where she conducted numerous love affairs, hosted star-studded parties, and made and lost a fortune. In July 2024, Edna passed away and this film provides a final testimony from her, aged 93, as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea's camera. Granting the director access to her personal journals (made public for the first time), which are read aloud by Irish actress Jessie Buckley. With additional perspectives offered from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley and an array of renowned writers, Edna does not shy from any subject.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 - World premiere
Official Selection Cork International Film Festival 2024 - European premiere
Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025

Details

Year
2024
Type of project
Features
Running time
99 min
Director
Sinéad O’Shea
Producer
Eleanor Emptage, Claire McCabe, Sinéad O'Shea
Executive Producer
Barbara Broccoli, Niamh Fagan, Kathryn Ferguson, Katie Holly, Jack Oliver
Editor
Gretta Ohle
Principal cast
Narrated by: Jessie Buckley. With contributions from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley
Archive Producer
Paul Bell

Genre

Woman Director

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Supported by BFI UK Global Screen Fund (UK), Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland (IE)

Ireland, UK co-production

SOS Productions (IE), Tara Films (UK)

Tara Films

Eleanor Emptage
10 Marlborough Place
Cross Ave
Belfast
BT9 6HQ

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