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A landmark film that started off as a university project by Rostrevor native John Farrelly is all set to appear at the Galway Film Fleadh next month. Farrelly Directed the production with first Assistant Director Cathal Fitzpatrick from Hilltown also featuring.
An Taibhse
An Taibhse (The Ghost) is the first ever Irish language horror feature film and as well as directing Farrelly took on the roles of Producer, Writer, Cinematographer & Editor. Executive Producers are Jim Sheridan, Tom Kerrisk. Starring Tom Kerrisk, Livvy Hill and Anthony Murphy.
The 1.5 hour production by Jackpot Films will premiere at Galway Film Fleadh, Pálás Cinema on July 11 at 10pm.
Set during the tail end of the Great Famine, the story explores the unspoken hardships and evils that people endured after the famine ended.
The film delves into the severe challenges of post-famine Ireland, where societal collapse left many vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and violence. By intertwining historical reality with the supernatural, "An Taibhse" sheds light on the resilience and suffering of those grappling with these hidden evils as they sought to rebuild their lives amidst the lingering devastation.
"An Taibhse," unfolds in the bleak landscape of post famine Ireland. The narrative centres around Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill), who undertake the care of a remote Georgian Mansion through the harsh winter.
Their task, initially serene, veers into terror as they encounter inexplicable phenomena. The film explores the depths of human resilience in the face of unspeakable horror, presenting a nuanced portrayal of survival and the complex ways the mind adapts to protect itself.
John Farrelly
At the age of 17, the Rostrevor man was crowned 'Ireland's Best Young Filmmaker' following the success of his short film, 'Choice'. He undertook the challenging task of creating his debut feature film, 'The Sleep Experiment'. The film not only resonated with audiences but also captured the esteemed Jury Prize at the LA Horror Film Festival.
Audiences worldwide were captivated, leading to the film being streamed over 150,000 times in its inaugural year on VOD.
A dedicated Gaelgoir he wrote and directed An Taibhse' (The Ghost), notable for being the first Irish language horror feature ever made.
How he got here
"An Taibhse" started as a humble university project for a horror module while John Farrelly was studying in Derry. The initial concept was brought to life through a short film, created by John and his university friends, who formed the cast and crew.
The passion and dedication of this team led to the decision to transform the short into a full- length feature film. With a modest budget of just 3000 euros, the team embarked on an ambitious journey to bring "An Taibhse" to life.
The film was entirely self-funded, showcasing the commitment and belief in the project by everyone involved. Over the following two years, John Farrelly dedicated himself to the post-production process, ensuring that every aspect of the film met his vision. The hard work and perseverance of John and his team have paid off, as Galway awaits "An Taibhse".
Importance of Irish in Media
Farrelly believes that seeing the Irish language represented in different media forms is crucial for its preservation and growth. By creating a horror film in Irish, he hopes to inspire other filmmakers and content creators to explore and incorporate the language into their projects, fostering a richer, more diverse cultural landscape.
The Production
Making the film from a short to a feature length began in the middle of Covid in 2021 which caused a lot of difficulties. Farrelly explained "The idea for "An Taibhse" had been brewing in my mind for several years before I finally had the opportunity to bring it to life. During a university module, we were tasked with creating a short horror film, which became the perfect catalyst for this project. I wrote a short film version of the story and cast Tom Kerrisk as the lead, having worked with him on previous projects. Livvy Hill, a talented classmate who had acted in other university productions, was also cast. The crew consisted of my university friends: Ross Power on camera, Cathal Fitzpatrick as 1st AD (who ended up wearing multiple hats), Dario Nunes as camera assistant, Simon Osiewicz and Tom Stafford on sound, and Rebecca Monaghan on assistant directing and Irish translations.
"Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, rehearsals took place over Zoom. Livvy Hill, who had no prior knowledge of the Irish language, learned all her lines phonetically. This dedication and adaptability from the cast and crew were crucial to the project's initial success. In November 2021, we headed to Wicklow and stayed in an Airbnb, shooting the short film in freezing conditions with long, demanding days. Despite the challenging environment, we managed to complete the shoot. When we reviewed the footage, we were pleased with the outcome, but it became clear that the story was too expansive to be condensed into a short film. It was essentially a feature trying to fit into a shorter format. Encouraged by our initial efforts and the potential we saw in the story, we decided to shoot the feature film."
They returned to rehearsals and preparation in January 2022 and began filming again. The shoot was gruelling, with early starts for sunrise shots and late nights for night scenes.
The Premiere
Speaking about the Premiere Farrelly said "The support and collaboration of my university friends have been incredible, and seeing our film selected for the Galway Film Fleadh is a dream come true. We poured our hearts into this project, and we can't wait to share it with the world.
"It has always been my dream to have a film play at the Galway Film Fleadh. Having "An Taibhse" selected for the festival is an incredible honor and a significant milestone in my career."
It was all worth it in the end though. Farrelly concluded "I am immensely proud and honoured to have the film accepted into this festival. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, and I am excited to share "An Taibhse" with audiences"
