Two IFB Titles Headed for Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018
Posted: 4th May 2018
Maurice Sweeney’s I, Dolours and Feargal Ward’s The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid will screen at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest, which runs from 7 – 12 June.
Sheffield Doc/Fest is the UK’s premier documentary festival, celebrating the art and business of documentary and all non-fiction storytelling.
Maurice Sweeney’s I, Dolours presents one woman’s story of life and death in the IRA. In 2009, Dolours Price, militant IRA activist, hunger striker and vocal opponent of the peace process gave an interview on condition that it not be broadcast in her lifetime. For the first time her shocking story can be told, entirely in her own words. Dolours was a ruthless terrorist but also a charismatic, loving mother, sister, friend. She was passionate, fragile, dogmatic, tortured.
Apart from the insight into the IRA and the descent into hell of Northern Ireland this film offers a rare glimpse into the pathway to radicalisation of an intelligent young woman — the motivation and excitement leading to violence and ultimately despair. It is a story which is is more relevant today than ever. The documentary is produced by Ed Moloney and Nuala Cunningham for New Decade TV.
The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid tells the story of Thomas Reid, a Co. Kildare farmer who, for years, has been locked in a gruelling battle with his neighbour — U.S. microchip manufacturer, Intel who want to expand into Reid’s land. When his farm in Leixlip was the subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Thomas decided to risk everything by challenging the state body in a battle through the courts.
Produced by Luke McManus of FSE Films, the film presents a unique insight into Reid’s struggle to hold onto his lands and home in the face of considerable odds.
I Dolours and The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid join two other Irish titles — Callum Macrae’s The Ballymurphy Precedent and Anna Frances Ewert’s Lovers of the Night — screening at the prestigious festival.
For more information, please visit www.sheffdocfest.com