Three Irish documentaries have made it to the second stage of nominations for the prestigious Grierson Awards for Documentary Films.
‘Barbaric Genius’, ‘Knuckle’ and ‘Dreams of a Life’ have all made it to the final four in their respective categories.
Directed by Paul Duane, ‘Barbaric Genius’ is up for the Best Newcomer category where it will go up against ‘Gypsy Blood’; ‘Panorama: The Truth about Adoption’ and ‘The Sinking of the Concordia: Caught on Camera’.
According to Duane, ‘Barbaric Genius’ is one of the only nominees in any category not to have a UK distributor or broadcaster involved.
Ian Palmer's ‘Knuckle’ and Carol Morley's ‘Dreams of a Life’ have both been nominated in the category for Best Cinema Documentary award where they face further competition from such established names as James Marsh (Project Nim) and Liz Garbus (Bobby Fischer Against the World).
Barbaric Genius’ tells the story of London-Irish author John Healy's journey from alcoholism and homelessness to the world of literary fame and fortune, followed by his sudden disappearance and the mysteries that grew around it.
The critically acclaimed film, which was released in UK and Irish cinemas last May, was produced by Duane’s Screenworks production company with the support of the Irish Film Board and RTÉ. An alternate, shorter version was broadcast by RTÉ in January 2011 under the name ‘John Healy – You Have Been Warned’.
Ian Palmer’s ‘Knuckle’, a documentary about the travelling community and their bare-knuckle fighting tradition, was screened in cinemas and on RTÉ last year. It was also selected for the 2011 Sundance film festival. ‘Knuckle’ was produced by Teddy Leifer (The Interrupters, The Honeymoon Suite) for Rise Films and Ian Palmer for Seafield. It was financed by the Irish Film Board and BBC Storyville.
English director Carol Morley’s ‘Dreams of a Life’ follows the true story of 38 year-old Joyce Vincent, who died in her London apartment in 2003. Her body was not found until three years later. The film was partly filmed in Dublin and received funding from the Irish Film Board. It was co-produced by Irish producer James Mitchell’s (Ordinary Decent Criminal) Soho Moon Pictures alongside Britain’s Cannon and Morley Productions. The project also received support from Film4, Shoot For The Moon and the UK Film Council.
The Grierson Awards commemorate the work of pioneering Scottish film maker John Grierson (1898 – 1972), famous for making ‘Drifters’.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at The Empire in Leicester Square, London on November 6.
