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Last night in Newry saw an incredible outpouring of support, appreciation and a not-insignificant amount of awe for the young filmmakers who brought the World Premiere of their short film, Reavey Brothers to the Canal Court Hotel in the City, putting a spotlight for evermore on their and other murders during the Troubles.
UVF Gunmen shot the three brothers John-Martin (24), Brian (22) and Anthony (17) Reavey when they broke into their home at Greyhilla, Whitecross on 4 January 1976. John-Martin and Brian died that night while Anthony who was shot while hiding under a bed survived, but died later that month. It was a horrific time locally. On the same night three members of the O'Dowd family were shot dead near Gilford and the following day ten workmen were murdered at Kingsmills, just a couple of miles from Whitecross.
Reavey Brothers concentrates on the story of the three brothers and their mother Sadie in the period leading up to their murders.
The sold out audience was made up of those who lived through the Troubles and remembered vividly the time of the Reavey Brothers shooting, those who weren't even born when it happened and most poignantly the brothers and sisters and extended families of the murdered boys.
The production of the film was very much community driven with an online fundraising campaign exceeding all expectations, and filming of the production in Whitecross and surrounds.
Over the Moon
John Reavey, a nephew of the brothers Directed the film and was over the moon at the public response to the film showings, that's seen seven showings in Newry, Belfast and London sold out within minutes of the tickets being released. "I'm so relieved by the response, it was a lot of pressure and I knew my job was done but to see it in front of me, see the family happy with it, I'm over the moon. he said.
"To see the community come together to support not only the film but the message behind, it's honestly so inspiring. I'm delighted to see the amount of young people here as well. That was an area I wanted to target, so for them to come along with their families, I know that stories like this are going to be told forever." added Reavey.
Reavey, Writer Jordi Estape Montserrat and Producer Jamie Tarr were on hand along with Geraldine McAlinden (Sadie Reavey); Niall McNamee, (John-Martin Reavey); Kevin Nugent (Brian Reavey) and Dylan Llewellyn (Anthony Reavey) to answer questions on the production.
It wasn't all sombre with many lighter moments through the night. At one stage M.C. for the night Damian McCullough asked why the crew didn't use Whitecross football pitch, instead using Beleeks to which the Director quipped "We needed it to look like 1976"
Also speaking on the night were Dessie Trainor from Portadown and Paul Reavey, a brother of the victims who talked on how the murders of family members didn't just affect their immediate family for a year or two but continues to affect them in their everyday life right up to the present day.
John Reavey speaking about his Granny Sadie Reavey, mother of the boys said "She represents voices that women didn't have back then so I have her very involved. Sadie Reavey is one of the best humans that ever graced this earth."
On Stage
Geraldine McAlinden who played Sadie said "When I saw the script, just knowing nothing about the story other than it was a local story, It was so well written by the guys. Before I even knew anything about Sadie I really wanted to play her"
Dylan Llewellyn who plays Anthony Reavey hails from Surrey and is best know for his role as 'the wee English fella' in Derry Girls. Llewellyn said "I feel like an honorary Irish man, Ireland is such a big part of my life now."
Kevin Nugent who played Brian Reavey is from Portadown and currently a Maghery senior footballer explained how he had to miss Maghery playing Crossmaglen in the Armagh County Final because they were filming on the same day, but he had no regrets.
Niall McNamee originally from Jonesborough who plays John-Martin Reavey said "I was blown away that I got to play a small part in this. I didn't know the scale of it at all. I keep saying to you [John Reavey] I am so proud of you, I am so impressed. This is unbelievable."
Director John Reavey spoke of the production and how important it is to highlight the story. Reavey said "Only 20 minutes is so difficult to tell this entire story. Obviously I've been very happy to make it but there's a million other stories and a million other people affected, especially in this room, they may know someone, or their family has been hurt and I really hope that they get some comfort in watching a film like this knowing that their stories will never ever be forgot about. I really want this film to be a bit of a stable point that anyone who has been affected by the troubles or knows someone who has can watch this and just feel in their heart that someone is still remembering them, they'll never be forgot about and that is what I want to make sure happens."
Amazing Ambassadors
Summing the event up perfectly Noelle McAlinden the sister of Geraldine who played Sadie Reavey speaking from the audience said "I just want to say John, the wisdom that you have, the dignity in which you represent your family is unbelievable and I have to say young people don't get a lot of good press and I have to say as a team you are absolutely amazing ambassadors.
"This is a real testament tonight about how stories about truth and justice can be told in such a dignified way. We heard John on the news just before the night started and if ever there was an ambassador and an example of how this country can move forward it's this experience tonight.
McAllinden concluded "If anything can unite us in terms of trust, truth and justice, it's creativity, culture and self expression. It helps us heal, It helps us grow and most of all it helps us connect."
Several other screenings are in progress and you can check availability or buy tickets via the film Facebook page at REAVEYBROTHERSFILM
In February it is planned for the film to be put on an online streaming service. "which is nice because then we can really get this round to the rest of the world and I want this to be picked up by someone who has power or has the opportunity to help us out to continue telling stories like this. That's the dream" concludes Reavey.
Check out more about the film at REAVEYBROTHERSFILM.COM
The Cast
Anthony Reavey: Dylan Llewellyn
John - Martin Reavey: Niall McNamee
Brian Reavey: Kevin Nugent
Sadie Reavey: Geraldine McAlinden
Will Graham: Neil Heaney
Ally Graham: Paddy Heaney
Soldier 1: Cailum Carragher
Soldier 2: Ciaran McKee
Armed Man: Brian Reavey
Drunken Man: Joseph ‘Jokey’ McTaggart
Innocent Woman: Colleen Reavey
Radio Presenter: John Fitzsimons
Children: AJ McGuinness Kodi McGuinness Donnacha Reavey Daithi Reavey Lorcan McPolin
The Crew
Director, Writer: John Reavey
Writer, Executive Producer: Jordi Estapé
Producer: Jamie Tarr
Director of Photography: Natasha Duursma
Production Designer: Lloyd Edgar
Editor, DIT: Morgan Perry
Sound Designer: David Head
Original Music: Cathal Murphy
Composer: Issac Faraz-Chandler
Costume Designer: Natalia Glow
Casting: Caitlin Wootton
Unit Production Manager: Oliver Hill
1st Assistant Director: Sam Roffey
2nd Assistant Director: Diara Vassallo Ndiaye
Production Coordinator: Matthew Craig
Costume Assistant: Siona Kimbley Torley
Hair, Make-Up Artist: Adeline Geoghegan-Doughty
Art Dept Assistant: Maxwell Courtney - Lee
Art Dept Assistant: Aoife Etherson
Art Dept Assistant: Emma Chalmers
Props: Neil Courtney
Armourer: Graeme Heatley
Colourist: Karol Cybulski
Sound Recordist: Bethany Kent
1st Assistant Camera: Ollie Cipres
2nd Assistant Camera: Jack Francis
Steadicam Operator: Ben Eeley
Gaffer: Sam Baker
Spark: Nela Resler
Spark: John Allan
3rd Assistant Director: Rowanne Swain
Stills Photographer, BTS: Nathan Magee
Runner: Krizzah Policarpio
Runner: Dean Conway
Runner, Driver: James Hodgkinson
Driver: Paul Reavey
Low Loader: Danny Mullen
Catering: Donna Reavey
