Fronting up

FESTIVAL Shortfilm by Virginia director up for awards

A dark comedy featuring Alan Bradley has been shortlisted for awards at prestigious international film festivals.

The Virginia man both acted in and directed 'Fable of a Ditherer', the shortfilm which is winning critical acclaim.

Weighing in at a spritely 11 minutes it has been selected for numerous national and international film festivals, including New York Shorts International Film Festival. It has also received 'Best Comedy' nomination at Portobello Film Festival London and 'Best Director of Photography' nomination from Paris Play International Film Festival.

The Cavan interest in 'Fable of a Ditherer' extends beyond Alan’s double-jobbing as actor and director, as it was shot in the replica Great War trenches in Cavan County Museum.

The idea was sparked through Alan’s involvement in a short drama shot during the pandemic at the Ballyjamesduff landmark. The film, ‘A Letter from the Trenches’ recounted the grim experiences of Irish soldiers fighting for the British Army in World War I.

“That was more of an educational piece, and it was inspired by real people’s letters," Alan explains.

“I just thought it was such a cool location to do a fiction piece, where you could run wild with the place and make the most of it. So we have a banshee and two world war one soldiers altogether in a trench – it’s not a piece of historical fact,” he deadpans.

Having enlisted the services of Oliver Doone to write a trench-based drama, the script he conjured had a darkly comedic horror vibe. Sam McGovern, who may be familiar to anyone who saw Michael Inside or Harry Wild, takes the main role of Martin, a soldier haunted both figuratively and literally by his past, while his side-kick William, is played by Alan.

The role of 'Sidhe' (banshee) is played by Mary McEvoy, who of course holds a place in the nation’s heart as Glenroe’s Biddy. Alan is among her many fans, recalling the thrill as a kid of being allowed to stay up late to watch Glenroe.

Oliver had Mary in mind when he was writing the script and approached her agent with the idea of recruiting her. “Mary loves things that are supernatural and a bit weird, which is quite lucky, because that’s what the script was, so she said yeah,” says Alan.

“She’s great, she’s so talented. She’s playing a banshee which is brilliant because she’s quite a fun character in general and then she would flip into this terrifying beast when the camera would roll. It was just brilliant to watch.

“She is a lovely person, very generous with her time.”

In recent years Alan has gained much attention for his directorial credits more so than acting.

Documentary films which have aired on Irish TV, such as his warm depiction of the Virginia Show, his profile of Meath legend Sean Boylan, and his ground-breaking work on men with eating disorders were all very well received.

“I’m still acting but I’m probably busier with the acting,” he concedes. However the Virginia native has just finished a part in a new RTÉ drama (which he’s not allowed to speak about).

'Fable of a Ditherer' has seen him active on both sides of the camera.

“It was a lot to do to direct it and act in it,” Alan recalls. “It was a two-night shoot in the middle of October in the lashing rain outside, in period costumes, so it was a lot to do.

“I think I would like to act in other people’s projects and direct on my own. I don’t know if I’d do both together again – it’s a juggle.”

He confirms the Celt’s suspicions that a stint as director can inform your acting skills.

“I think so actually yeah and I found that on the last shoot I did – that RTE thing. You know exactly what’s going on and you kind of know almost more what the director wants and what's useful. It’s actually the editing process where I have learned the most – I’m seeing what works in the edit, and what’s really useful to have and I try to bare that in mind when you are performing because you know what they’ll need. To have different options really helps. I definitely think it’s made me a better actor – I hope so.”

He’s both delighted and excited the film is receiving screen time at big events.

“It's recognition for all the work that goes into it - so much work goes in, and so many people give their time

“It’s just lovely to have the work acknowledged as good and people appreciate it and to get audiences to see the work that we slaved away on for two long in Cavan in the lashing rain. It makes it worthwhile to get it out there.”

And will Cavan audiences get to see it?

“I’m hoping when the festival run is done we can do a screening in the museum or somewhere in Cavan where we can get everyone together who worked on it and do a little screening with Mary.”