In this Film Ireland podcast, Naemi Victoria talks to Paul Sng, Director of Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough, which had its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 20th August 2025.
This podcast has been made possible with the support of Screen Ireland.
https://soundcloud.com/film-ireland/paul-sng-director-of-irvine-welsh-reality-is-not-enough
This intimate documentary explores the life, legacy, and creative genius behind groundbreaking novels like 'Trainspotting', 'Crime', and 'Filth'. Narrated by an all-star cast including Liam Neeson, Maxine Peake, Nick Cave, Ruth Negga, and Stephen Graham, the film follows Welsh as he embarks on a profound psychedelic journey, reflecting deeply on his upbringing in Edinburgh, his wild years in London's 1970s counterculture, and the fame that followed his global literary success.
Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough will be in UK & Irish cinemas from 26th September.
Paul Sng
Paul is a bi-racial British Chinese filmmaker based in Edinburgh whose films focus on people who challenge the status quo. His work has been broadcast on UK national television and screened internationally, and his feature film credits include DISPOSSESSION, YEAR OF THE DOG and POLY STYRENE: I AM A CLICHE (Winner of BIFA Best Documentary and Raindance Discovery Award, nominated for Best Documentary awards including BAFTA and Grierson). Sng has recently directed his first short fiction film, FOLDING, funded by BFI Network and Screen Scotland. Underpinning all Sng’s work is an eye for strong characters and compelling narratives, all the while working to establish and maintain trustful relationships with people in front of and behind the camera. Paul’s second dramatic short ASKA is in post, starring Kate Dickie.
