Every two weeks, be sure to tune in to 92.5 Phoenix FM for Phoenix Spotlight in Collaboration with Film Ireland, where presenter and film expert Dáire Walsh explores the wonderful world of cinema and the film industry across the island of Ireland.
Presented in partnership with Film Ireland, this week Dáire chats with director Aisling O’Regan Sargent, whose powerful short film His House, Home has just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
He also catches up with writer, director and producer Sinéad Murphy, whose debut feature film Sludge has premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh.
His House, Home is written by Philip Emo, directed by Aisling O'Regan Sargent, and produced by Killian Casey and Philip Emo.
In this film, closeted Luke cares for his dad with MS. When a queer carer arrives, he is forced to confront his fear of coming out, and their strained relationship.
The film won an Honourable Mention at Dublin International Film Festival and also screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Sinéad Murphy
Sinéad is a writer and television director with more than two decades of experience in the Film and TV industry, both in Ireland and abroad. She began her career as a camera trainee before moving into the assistant directing department, working across productions in Ireland, England, and New Zealand. In 2008, she transitioned into directing for television and has since collaborated with leading Irish production companies.
More recently, Sinéad has returned to her first love drama. She has written, produced, and directed a number of short films that have been showcased at festivals in Galway, Cork, Los Angeles, and New York among others. Alongside her filmmaking, she serves as Programming Director for the Louth International Film Festival. Sinéad is passionate about regional filmmaking and showcasing the talent of the actors, artists, filmmakers and musicians in her area. Sinéad has just completed her debut indie feature film, SLUDGE, which she wrote, directed, and produced. She also has several original scripts in development.
Sludge
Sludge is a psychological drama set against the raw beauty of a silt-laden estuary in small-town Ireland. The film explores homelessness, social displacement, bigotry, misogyny, and the lasting impact of trauma.
Tormented by fractured memories of abuse and haunting visions of a mysterious dark-hooded figure, Lise McDevitt, a young homeless woman of few words, drifts through life using the streets as her sanctuary. Seeking only to numb her pain and forget the past, Lise struggles to escape the darkness that follows her.
Her one source of hope is her best friend, Kayla, for whom Lise harbours unspoken romantic feelings. Their bond is pushed to breaking point when Kayla becomes involved with the violent gangster Jonno. Determined to save her, Lise risks everything to pull Kayla away from his grip. Just as the pair glimpse the possibility of a better life, their hard-won hope is shattered by tragedy.
In a gripping and emotionally charged finale, Lise is forced to confront the truth behind her fractured memories and the darkness she has carried within her, leading to a shocking revelation that changes everything.
92.5 Phoenix FM is a community radio station that provides a voice for Dublin 15. They broadcast 24/7 to the Dublin 15 area on 92.5 FM and to the world via their online stream, morning, noon and night. Their programming reflects the wide range of views and interests within the community through talk programmes on a variety of topics such as arts, sports, news, current affairs, local history, religious topics, and many more.
Listen back to all episodes of Phoenix Spotlight in Collaboration with Film Ireland here.
