Lightdox selected Luke McManus’ musical poem to contemporary Dublin, “North Circular,” which will premiere internationally at the Sheffield DocFest.
In this melodic black and white postcard, the audience travels along Dublin’s Northern Ring Road and meets some of the area’s mysterious residents. Personal testimonies that touch on topics from colonialism, mental health, and addiction to women’s empowerment and advancement are embodied in folk songs. Airing the atmosphere of Ireland’s turbulent past and present, the filmmaker has written a heartfelt love letter to Dublin.
The film includes musical performances by local North Circular artists, including John Francis Flynn, Séan Ó Túama, Eoghan O’Ceannabháin, Ian Lynch, and Gemma Dunleavy.
McManus previously attended Sheffield DocFest as producer of “The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reis,” and is now returning with his first appearance as a director. The film premiered at Dubin Intl. Film Festival where he received a Special Mention Award given by the Documentary Film Jury.
“North Circular is a personal movie,” says McManus. “I’ve lived off the same path for two decades and still am fascinated by its diversity, contradictions, and competing tensions that it finds within itself.” […] There are many traits, characters, and issues that come to light under the surface of the North Ring Road when you walk along it. A certain darkness at times, and a festive energy at other times: this single path encompasses so much diversity in human experience. This film will only be a glimpse into life in two moments in the complex history of this multifaceted place.”
“North Circular” is a Reel Art film, produced by Elaine Gallagher and Luke McManus of Madhouse Films, funded by the Arts Council/An Comhairle Ealaíon.
Anna Berthollet, founder and CEO of Lightdox, comments: “Amazing visual and sound, we were absolutely captivated by the beautiful directorial appearance of Luke McManus at first glance.” North Circular is a film that highlights such depth and complexity in larger themes such as gentrification, society and history. By touching personal stories, creating a love letter to this iconic place that has a turbulent history as well as the present.”
McManus has produced and directed award-winning projects for NBC, Netflix, RTÉ, Virgin Media Television, TG4, NDR/ARD, Al Jazeera, and Channel 4, winning four IFTAs, a Celtic Media Award, and a Radharc Award in the process.
His first feature film as a producer was “The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid”, which premiered in IDFA’s main competition in 2018, and won the George Morrison Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Irish Film and Television Awards, and the Best Irish Film Award. In Dublin Intl. Film Festival.
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