FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Filmmaker Q&A

Q: What was the genesis of this film, and how did it evolve over the course of development to production and completion?

(Damian McCann, Director/Writer, and Sarah Gordon, Co-Writer): "We were developing a heist film led by older women. Damian’s mum used to work in a Credit Union and often joked that it got robbed CONSTANTLY (this was the North, in the 90s – classic). We wanted details, how did people do it? She said “Well if I was going to do it, I’d do it on loan day” – she’d thought about it. Pauline is barely 5ft – a self-doubting, do-anything-for-you Ma. And the most unlikely bank robber. We realised with Aontas, that the most interesting thing wasn’t HOW these unlikely robbers would pull off a heist – but WHY they would be driven to robbing the local Credit Union in the first place. The choice to unravel the story backwards was suddenly obvious, and our heist became a mystery."

Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh (Producer): "The film was conceived by writers Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann (also the director) under an Irish language film scheme called Gealán, a collaboration between NI Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, BBC Gaeilge and TG4. The low budget nature of the scheme meant we had to be careful and clever in both the script development and the production itself, and the film was shot in 18 days in Glenarm County Antrim in 2024 with a small but talented crew and wonderful cast. In a way, our budget was assisted in the storytelling device Damian and Sarah chose, to tell the story in reverse, as it was a different lens through which to examine the heist genre, and therefore hooked the audience.
We worked with our longtime editor, Sorcha Nic Giolla Mhuire at Yellowmoon PostProduction to complete the film to a high standard, and our score by composer Dáithí really brought the film to life."

Alana Fraser (Hair & Makeup Designer): "The minute I turned the first page of the Aontas script, I knew I was holding something truly special. From that moment on, it became a dream project—a fully collaborative journey with Damian and Sarah, from the earliest meetings and design conversations right through to those magic moments on set when the characters finally came alive."

Q: What did you feel was the most fulfilling element of working on this film?

Carrie Crowley (Actor): "The most fulfilling element was actually figuring out where we were in terms of storyline each time we went to shoot a scene.
To have a film constantly flick back in time is difficult enough but then to shoot out of sequence as well, whether moving forwards or backwards, meant we constantly had to check in to  see what had actually happened our characters prior to any given scene. Very good for the brain. and deliciously challenging."

Damian McCann (Director): “The very chance to make it. It’s such an impossible thing to make a film and when you’re in the middle of it (and the start of it… and the end of it too, actually) it all feels like it could collapse at any minute – even more so on a low-budget, 18 day shoot. But to be joined on this insane mission by a cast and crew who actually want to tackle it with you, and have their own investment in it, is the most fulfilling and encouraging part. Because you can’t do it on your own.”

Daithí Ó Dronaí (Composer): “Working on this film, the most fulfilling element was the collaboration with Damien. From the outset, we shared a fascination with the sheer gravitational pull a synth-driven score can exert on a tense scene. The characters are pitched into moments of real emotional darkness, and composing music that could escort the audience into those spaces felt very satisfying.”

Seán T. Ó Meallaigh (Actor): "As an actor you do a LOT of auditions, to get a straight offer is such a joy! So that was the first thrill, the second thrill was reading the script for the first time - I was absolutely enthralled, and I was enjoying it so much that I actually needed to take a break three quarters of the way through - because I was afraid that the ending couldn't live up to what had come before. Thankfully, it could! The third thrill was to get to work with such a talented and welcoming cast and crew. It genuinely felt like a little family for the duration of the shoot.
The most fulfilling part, on a very personal level, might be getting the opportunity to play a character that is outside the type I would normally be considered for. I am eternally grateful to Damian for seeing my inner bastard, and helping me to tap into him!"
 

Q: To what extent was your on-screen talent vital to the success of the film?

Sorcha Nic Giolla Mhuire (Editor): "There are so many intricate and subtle character traits and relationships portrayed on screen. Carrie and Bríd in particular nail the strained sister relationship so well, one could believe them to be real life sisters. This is done all while perfecting their own unfolding character development within an ever-shifting timeline- not an easy task and perfectly executed by both actors."
 

Q: What does it mean to have your work acknowledged by your peers in the Irish film community and showcased at the IFTA Awards?

Carrie: “There's something really cool about people in our business watching each other’s work and giving a really big shout of support when something works. I love watching other films made here in Ireland and figuring out how they manage to make things work so beautifully. There's always the added interest in the weather and how we  all survive shoots where it's permanently wet. the magic of film.”

Órfhlaith: “While we do not make our films expecting acknowledgement and awards, they nevertheless are a high point of filmmaking, and the IFTA Awards in particular – to be recognised by the IFTAs and showcased among the high calibre of our peers and their talent is an honour. Moreover, it allows us all to feel a collective sense of achievement about the health of Irish cinema. As a nation of storytellers, we are excelling in the cinematic version of storytelling and can be proud of that, even as we continue to strive to reach new heights.”

Damian: "IFTA’s recognition of An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap over the last few years, has brought Irish language filmmakers to the forefront of Irish cinema. That spotlight has created an exciting space for Irish speakers to find mainstream appeal. By platforming Aontas we feel IFTA is continuing to encourage and inspire future Irish language filmmakers. It’s really exciting to be a small part of a canon of work that’s sparking a movement."