Strength and Hard Graft
Adam Lacey bares his knuckles for a few rounds with Mark Mahon.

On a cold, regrettably hungover Sunday morning, I am en route to Dublin Airport to interview Cork-born Mark Mahon. Mark is the first-time director of new bare-knuckle boxing drama Strength and Honour which has recently scooped two Boston Film Festival awards, one for the film and one for it’s unlikely, brooding star, Michael Madsen, best known to many as Mr Blonde (and, to a few, as the guy from Croc).

Despite my tardiness (15 minutes worth), Mark is waiting for me in the upstairs food court more tanned, relaxed and effusive than any jaded hack could ever hope to be. This unfortunate (for me) 9 a.m. slot is the only chance I have to speak to him as he gets set for the release of his new project. He travels light, walking with crutches thanks to a serious accident years ago. The accident put an end to his budding acting career but kick-started a writing-directing path that he seems utterly enamoured with. His manner is convivial as he enthuses infectiously about the upcoming release dates of his most recent work and the nomadic existence of a man on a hardcore publicity mission.

‘We’re going out in la on the 7th December, well, all across America, so as you can imagine I’m jetting all over the shop because it’s obviously a very important release for us in America. At this stage, to be honest about it, I’m living in hotels but generally jumping between both Ireland and LA. I would consider Cork my base, as silly as it sounds. What I’ve learned about the business is that you need offices in LA, you need to have a presence there. I mean, it is the capital, the film capital of the world. The 30th November is the release date here though and there’s a big premiere in Cork on the 19th so that’ll be great. A black tie event in the Cork Opera House, no less!’

It seems to me that he has not yet experienced Los Angeles the way it’s often portrayed – as a Bill Hicks-esque horror show. However, he chats about his early experiences in the City of Angels with a veteran’s wisdom suggesting he has battled through the bullshit to get where he is today. ‘It’s like everything else you know, the first time you go out there it’s glitzy and glamorous but for me at this stage it’s a place to do business... I like it though, to be honest. I wouldn’t criticise it, but it is a tough business and you do meet a lot of faceless people, people who have no integrity but that’s just the way, you know? You just stick to your own morals...’

The full article is printed in Film Ireland 119.