Biography
Michael J. Daly is a writer and doctor living in Dublin, Ireland. To date, he has written and produced four short films: Good Boy (2015), Mother’s Milk & Cookies (2016), Dam (2017), and Forgive Me Not (2019). In addition to successful International Film Festival runs, both Good Boy and Dam have been broadcast as part of RTÉ2’s Shortscreen programme. In 2019, Michael received an MA in Creative writing from Queen’s University Belfast, with his first feature-length screenplay Son of Man the submitted thesis. Awards for his writing include those at the Toronto International Screenwriting Competition (2017), the LA Independent Film Festival Awards (2016), and the LA Shorts Awards (2015). In 2020, his first full-length work for the stage Forster Green received funding from the Arts Council of Ireland and is currently being developed in collaboration with Pan Pan Theatre, Dublin.
Project Title: Son of Man
- Genre: LGBTQ+ Romance / Drama
- Target Audience: 18 – 40 yrs
Synopsis
Shane – a young Irish priest – has recently moved into a busy Dublin parish; however, despite being surrounded by an adoring congregation he has never felt more alone. If he were being honest with himself, he only chose the vocation to secure the love of his matriarchal mother Patsy – a pathological Catholic.
Shane stands on water alone, and screams… he is gay.
In an attempt to relieve his loneliness and yearning for some personal connection, Shane goes online where he meets Lio, a Brazilian student living in Dublin. As their relationship progresses from the physical to something more emotionally meaningful, he becomes increasingly conflicted and pushes Lio away. Not convinced by the rejection, Lio pursues him with the aid of Shane’s cousin Maggie – they travel to the rural town of Sligo where Shane is officiating at Maggie’s sister’s wedding.
At the reception, Shane and Lio meet in the hotel’s garden and a secret kiss is captured by the wedding photographer; unaware of their betrayal, Shane pushes Lio away yet again, choosing his commitment to the priesthood over their blossoming relationship. However, the following morning Shane awakens to a media furore that finally forces him to be honest with not only himself, but also his congregation, his Bishop, and his mother. In a last attempt to receive love, Shane reaches out to Lio one final time but to no avail. Feeling both judged and rejected by all whose love he sought, Shane takes control of his fate – his own Passion story… a decision that might well prove his deliverance.
To get in touch with Michael or find out more about Son of Man, contact spotlight@screenireland.ie