Producer Redmond Morris on Movies | The Irish Film & Television Network

Earlier in his career, Redmond’s partnership with Neil Jordan and Stephen Woolley led to such modern Irish classics as 'The Butcher Boy', and 'Michael Collins' and international films such as 'Interview with the Vampire' and ‘In Dreams’. He also worked with Ken Loach on 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'.

His 2008 Oscar nomination came with the Stephen Daldry directed grim post WWII feature, 'The Reader'’ which also lead to a BAFTA nomination for the Irishman. His other project, 'Notes on a Scandal' also earned widespread critical acclaim. More recently, production has just wrapped on the set of the Sky TV movie, 'Neverland' which Redmond produced for Parallel Films and his most recent feature, 'London Boulevard' is currently in cinemas across Europe.

'London Boulevard', directed by academy award winning writer of 'The Departed', Bill Monahan, sees Colin Farrell’s newly released prisoner Mitchell, taken on as bodyguard for Keira Knightley’s reclusive film star, Charlotte. Mitchell finds himself falling for his new charge while becoming further and further immersed in a duel with a vicious gangster, Gant, played by Ray Winstone. The film has received mixed reviews thus far with British publications such as the Guardian suggesting an over-complicated plot whilst American publications such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are generally giving the film the thumbs up.

We caught up with Redmond to discuss his film choices, the mixed reaction to the film and his thoughts on returning to Ireland.

IFTN: A pattern of 'challenging films' emerges in most of your past projects – films such as 'The Reader' and 'Notes on a Scandal'; boast controversial, often uncomfortable themes and often feature the anti-hero character. Is a controversial plot something you look for in projects?

Redmond Morris: Basically, I am a producer for hire and have so far been lucky recently, to work on films with interesting themes and with interesting people.

IFTN: Is there any genre of film you have purposefully stayed away from?

Redmond Morris: So far I have successfully avoided porn!

IFTN: Is there anything you particularly look for in a project before becoming involved with it – be it the director or cast members already signed up?

Redmond Morris: When I read a script a director is not always yet attached so it's fair to say I am attracted by the story, the locations, the cast. Inevitably though, the director becomes the most important element as it is with him/her THAT I would have to work most closely.

IFTN: You've moved between producing both Irish and International projects – is this something you have carefully planned to get back to Ireland regularly or just the way things have happened?

Redmond Morris: Unfortunately my working life is, and always has been, somewhat unplanned! When I moved back to Dublin in 2000 I was hoping to work at home more but in fact I have only done three projects; 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley', though Cork is hardly 'home', more like a foreign country [laughs]; then 'The Actors', which was in Dublin; and my most recent project, 'Neverland'.

I would very much like to work more in Ireland and hopefully the retention of Section 481 and the continuing great work of the Film Board – albeit on a slightly reduced budget, might mean I can do so. However, I suppose I am lucky to have the international career that I do.

IFTN: You worked your way up to where you are now via several positions: Assistant Director to Location Manager before moving on to Production Manager and Associate Producer to your role now of Producer/ Executive Producer.
Are there any other positions that are still on your to-do list? Would you ever think of taking the director’s chair, for instance?

Redmond Morris: No, although I have often thought how I would like to be a sound or stills person, i.e. one who arrives at the call time and leaves at wrap! ...Not to denigrate the work of those departments in any way!

IFTN: How did you become involved with ‘London Boulevard’?

Redmond Morris: Colin Vaines, whom I had met when he worked for Harvey Weinstein, who was an executive with Graham King at the time, asked me to get involved in late 2008. The film was eventually made in summer 2009.

IFTN: Having seen it recently has it turned out the way you expected? Are you still glad you got involved with it?

Redmond Morris: It was slightly different to what I expected however I am very glad to have been involved in it and to have worked with Bill Monahan and indeed Colin Farrell.

IFTN: Going by the reviews it received, do you see the film having a stronger release in the US than in Britain?

Redmond Morris: I do hope that will be the case. I felt that, honestly, some of the criticisms were justified but there were some very divergent views on the performances, on Colin's accent, which I thought was good, and the general tone of the film. A lot of people have enjoyed it in spite of the reviews and I do hope people go and see for the film and form their own opinions.

IFTN: Your other big project at the moment is ‘Neverland’ which just finished shooting how did that shoot go?

Redmond Morris: I was asked by Alan Moloney to produce 'Neverland', which is a prequel to 'Peter Pan'. It is an 'event' film for Sky Movies which went extraordinarily well, helped in no small part by director Nick Willing. We had a wonderful crew.

IFTN: Are you involved with any other project at the moment?

Redmond Morris: There are several projects in the air including another with Bill Monahan but who knows, as always! I also have a project of my own, 'The Maharajah of Connemara', which I am hoping will get made in the near future. It is based on the true story of a maharajah who lived in Ballynahinch Castle in the 1930s.

‘London Boulevard’ is currently on general theatrical release across Ireland. For film times see local press.

	Free Industry Newsletter

Subscribe to IFTN's industry newsletter - it's free and e-mailed directly to your inbox every week. Click here to sign up.