Made largely with a cast of non-actors, Frank Berry’s powerful teen suicide drama ‘I Used To Live Here’ is a true labour of love. And caring. Paul Byrne talks to the noted Irish filmmaker.
Paul Byrne: Shooting ‘I Used To Live Here’ on weekends, with no funding, must have felt like a long and lonely road. Was there ever a fear that this important film wouldn’t see the light of a cinema projector...?
Frank Berry: ‘No, there was never a fear of that along the way. From my first meeting with the youth workers, I think we were always going to make a film together in some way. They spoke about the reality of life for many young people in Killinarden, and also about how they wanted to try and make sense of a tragic series of suicides that had taken place in previous years. That first meeting was in August 2012, and yes, it was a long road, but it was never lonely.’
Inspired by two articles Dr. Tony Bates wrote in The Irish Times - We Must Give Young People A Reason To Live and, later, Breaking The Ripple Effects of Suicide - was the balance between education and entertainment an easy one to achieve here?
‘I started writing the screenplay after a lot discussions and research. Initially the research provided a framework for the story, but soon I was immersed in the world of a fictional story like any other. It was all about the characters and the story, and then further research found its’ way in naturally. And of course the screenplay evolved further when I took it into the workshops. By working in that way I think a film can be both educational and engaging as a drama, without having to balance them as separate entities in the film.’
It was through Headstong, the Dublin-based National Centre for Youth Mental Health, founded by Dr. Tony Bates, that you were put in touch with those youth workers in the Killinarden Community Centre - where you ended up finding your cast and crew. Did the fresh-faced, wide-eyed enthusiasm outweight the lack of professional filmmaking experience?
‘The enthusiasm for this film more than made up for the lack of filmmaking experience with the crew and the cast. We all had a lot of belief in what we could achieve, and in the importance of the film. They all did an excellent job and I was very lucky to find such an amazing group of people to work with.’
For some there, it was the first time they’d even seen a camera. How did they react to the dailies? To the completed film?
‘During the shoot I would frequently send Vimeo links of scenes to the adult actors, the youth workers and to the parents of the primary young cast. I wanted them to see our progress, and to feel excited about how it was going. In this situation it was a great thing to do. We shot most weekends over six months, so it helped to keep everyone going. Regarding the finished film, its’ early days, but I think it’s fair to say that there is a lot of pride in the area for the achievement.’
As much as you hope this film will create discussion amongst young people around Ireland and beyond, what sort of effect has ‘I Used To Live Here’ had on the kids in Killinarden?
‘I think the young people involved in the film have had a great experience over the past two and a half years. They know the importance of recognizing an opportunity when it comes along, and that you just never know where an opportunity could take you. Because this was a long-term process, some young people who initially laughed at the prospect of acting had the opportunity to come back to the project months later after seeing others take part. After a first reading you could see their self-image in relation to this practice change before your eyes, and before they knew it, they were acting. I found that exciting creatively, because they were young people who would never normally go to an audition, so you really don’t know what they are going to do.’
‘All of the cast have been praised by critics, and recently the two lead actors Jordanne Jones and Dafhyd Flynn have taken up acting schloarships at Bow Street Acting Academy.’
And the success of your previous offering, the acclaimed documentary ‘Ballymun Lullaby’, and the positive response to ‘I Used To Live Here’ at the Galway Film Fleadh and the critics - what sort of effect has that had on Frank Berry? Do you see yourself ever giving up your regular job of teaching Film Production in the Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education in Coolock?
‘I teach two days a week, which has so far allowed me the freedom to make films. My two career passions are filmmaking and education, and at the moment I’m happy to be able to do both in a way that makes sense to me. I would like to make more films and I’m taking it one film at a time. Like all filmmakers a subject can grab me and not let me go, so I accept that I may leave teaching for a while at times for a film, but I hope to always return to it.’
That 10-year gap between ‘This Time Round’ and ‘Ballymun Lullaby’ - accept such waits between films as being part of the filmmaker’s lot, or does the constant struggle for funding fair make your blood boil?
‘Those years were a crucial time for me to figure out what type of work I want to do. It was through the freedom and diversity of the community video work I was doing in those years that led to my feature documentary ‘Ballymun Lullaby’. There was just over ten years between leaving college to starting ‘Ballymun Lullaby’, and I’m glad now that I took my time and found my own path. Everyone’s journey is different, I suppose.’
Speaking in November of last year for the IFTA screening of I Used To Live Here, you stated that your next project will be another fictional drama, this time with a mix of both professional and non-professional actors. Can you tell us anymore about that film...?
‘Yes, I’m developing a project with the Irish Film Board called ‘Michael Inside’, about a young man who goes to prison for a short time, and the film explores how it affects his life. It is early days but my aims are similar, to put a societal issue up on the screen, to take a look at, and to discuss. I’ve written a first draft and at the moment I’m researching with former prisoners.’
So, Write Direction - is that you? Or are we talking secret multi-millionaire backers here?
‘Sadly, no! Write Direction Films is myself and my co-producing partner/long-suffering wife, Donna Eperon. Who is, of course, the unsung hero of both my films.’
‘I Used To Live Here’ hits Irish cinemas April 3rd.
