FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

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

"The film came out of research into the aftermath of the Northern Bank robbery and the large number of absurd events that followed it. I decided to lean into those real events and write a dark comedy, with an added focus on the fragility of the peace process at that time, only six years after the Good Friday agreement, and how important it was that it survive. While the film is a mix of fact and fiction, the tone comes from those real events. The key for me to finding a way into the story was choosing an outsider lead character. The bank chain was owned by National Australia Bank, so I created a young Australian Federal police officer, played by the fabulous Madeleine Madden, and she acts as our guide through the story.

Once the script was in good shape, producer Jane Doolan approached Sydney based Michael Wrenn of Invisible Republic, he came on board, and the film became in a natural way, an official Irish-Australian co-production. We had terrific support from Screen Ireland, Screen Australia and Screen Queensland throughout the process. The amazing Christopher Eccleston was the first cast member to come on board. I’d been a fan of his since Our Friends in the North. Christopher stayed with us while Jane and Michael put all the finance in place.

We shot in June-July 2025 in Dublin and Dundalk which was a challenge as the film is set at Christmas but luckily the Irish weather gave us what we needed, sometimes too generously. Then we did all the editing and post-production in Sydney and Queensland over a four-month period."

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

"It was a real pleasure for me to work with such a talented and enthusiastic bunch of creative people, both in Ireland and in Australia. On the Irish side DOP Owen McPolin, Production Designer Jenny Oman and Costume Designer Louise Stanton, alongside the rest of the team, did amazing work and never stopped trying to do the best they could for the film.

In Australia, editor Chris Plummer and composer Jim Moginie were both terrific to work with and added their own stamp on the film. Jim’s brass-based soundtrack is going to be released later this year. It’s always a little nerve-wracking going to work in another country for the first time but co-producer Michael and post-producers Elysium Studios delivered a great bunch of people for us to collaborate with. Also in Australia, these aren’t usually considered creative roles but Colourist Kali Bateman and Re-recording Mixer Justin Harrison added a lot to the final film.

It was our first time to work with all of these people and it was a hugely positive experience and we made some good friends too."

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

"Besides being two wonderfully talented actors, the chemistry that Christopher Eccleston and Madeleine Madden had with each other on set added so much to the film. That chemistry is something you hope for, but it’s hard to create from scratch if it’s not actually there. Chris and Maddy were on opposite sides of the world when we offered them the roles, so getting them in a room together beforehand was not an option.

So there was a certain amount of luck that they had such a rapport with each other. Christopher also put a lot of effort beforehand into getting the Belfast accent right and it was great to see him getting praised for his authenticity when we screened there. Madeleine carries a lot of the film on her shoulders, and she gets the tone just right. There’s a delicate balance between drama and comedy that she pulls off in what seems like an effortless way, but that is really not easy to do.

The supporting cast really make a big impact too. It was lovely to work with Tom Vaughan-Lawlor again after MAZE, and Adam Best who I’d admired in Say Nothing and Kerri Quinn and Amy Molloy. We’ve got so many talented actors in Ireland who can hold their own on screen with anyone."

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

"Recognition in your home country is always nice to hear, and I particularly enjoy seeing the cast and crew get recognition for their individual work which is richly deserved.