Two local filmmakers host Cavan cinema double bill

- Róisín McManus -

A special screening of two films created by local filmmakers will be held at the ODEON in Cavan Town in the coming weeks.

The Cure, written by Seán Connolly, and The Lacey Way by Regina de Faoite, will both be screened in front of a Cavan audience for the first time on Thursday, September 17 at 7pm.

The Cure, which made its première at FrightFest horror festival in London last Saturday (August 29), tells the story of a woman called Aoife, played by Belturbet’s Fiona Fitzpatrick, who is struggling with a smoking addiction and can’t kick the habit. She finds a book of old cures from her Cavan grandmother, and decides to visit a seventh son of a seventh son, played by Carrigallen’s Séamus O’Rourke. But something goes wrong with the cure and she ends up being haunted by a physical manifestation of her addiction.

Inspired by his own unsuccessful childhood experience of being brought for a cure for a wart, Seán’s subsequent fascination encouraged him to create this film to bring more attention to a tradition that is still prevalent in many parts of Ireland, particularly Cavan.

With support from the Cavan Arts Office, the 15 minute film was shot over four days in February in and around Cavan Town, Crossdoney and Stradone.

“I would consider September as the real première of the film because I really wanted to put it on for the people who helped support it,” Seán tells the Celt. “I’m really excited to play it in Cavan. Hopefully people enjoy it.”

A native of Butlersbridge, Seán has “always been interested” in film. It is his “passion” outside of his “day job” as a doctor, where he is based in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

The 33 year old has been writing scripts for the past four years. His comedy drama, ‘Emergency Department’ is doing the rounds on the festival circuit at the moment.

“I’ve always liked filmmaking and doing something creative,” Seán says.

Created as part of Regina’s film degree in IADT Dún Laoghaire, The Lacey Way tells the story of a reclusive family who shy away from society until their eldest daughter George decides to go to a disco for the first time.

The short film was recently awarded Best First Short Drama at the Galway Film Fleadh in July.

For Regina, it is “fantastic” to be able to bring her film to Cavan because “so many” local people helped with the production.

“It’s wonderful to be able to bring the film back for them and show it to them on the big screen,” Regina enthuses.

The Cavan town native is also delighted to have the opportunity to show the film to a wider audience outside of the regular festival circuit around Ireland.

“So much of amateur filmmaking is that you make the film, you show it in a couple of festivals and nobody that you know really gets to see it,” Regina explains.

“Film festivals have a usual audience, they’re the kind of people who would be going to see films or have an interest in film. But what’s good about this screening is that it’s not a film festival where you have to watch 20 other short films. It’s a little bit more accessible to all people, which I think is a great idea.”

The 22 year old is “really proud” to show her work in Cavan for the first time. One of her goals was to show The Lacey Way to “as many people as possible” because she feels it has “a lot to say to audiences.”

“I think it has something to say about our society and, mainly, the treatment of young people who are kind of different,” Regina adds.

“Also, it has something to say about rape culture in Ireland, and specifically in rural Ireland.”

She hopes the film will open people’s eyes to the fact there are many vulnerable groups of people in our society, who are vulnerable to “these really evil parts of the society that we accept and are all complicit in.”

Regina also hopes that people will be able to empathise with the characters and see things “from a new perspective.”

The short film is currently at the beginning of its festival run, and they are hoping to have a few screenings around the country, particularly where it was filmed in Wicklow.

“We want to try and have as many people from as many different places to see it as possible,” Regina tells the Celt.

Regina will be graduating at the end of October, and is currently working on a residency through Cavan Arts Council, Clones Film Festival and the North & East Housing Association to make a documentary about some of the tenants of the association’s social housing developments.

She is currently doing a mentorship programme in professional theatre with the Livin’ Dred Theatre Company, saying it is “fantastic” to have these opportunities at home.

“There’s so much stuff specifically for emerging artists in these areas,” Regina praises.

“It’s really impressive and I feel so lucky to be in this part of the world at this stage of my life.”

The upcoming screening is presented as part of the Cultúr 2026 Programme and forms part of Culture Night celebrations in Cavan. The event is co-founded by Creative Cavan and Cavan Arts Office.