Produced by six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan and directed by award-winning John Farrelly, An Taibhse (The Ghost) is the first Irish Language Horror film ever made so we couldn't miss the chance of a chat with him.
NYX: Was there one movie or person you saw who inspired you to want a career in filmmaking?
JF: Yes, Jim Sheridan has been a significant influence on my career. His work has always resonated with me, and having him come on board as an executive producer for An Taibhse was a dream come true. Working with him was surreal, and his influence on the production was invaluable.
NYX: Where did the idea for the movie come from?
JF: The idea for An Taibhse was inspired by a true story from someone close to me, and it is deeply rooted in the trauma and devastation caused by the Great Famine in Ireland. The film uses the ghost story genre as a metaphor to explore transgenerational trauma and how the past continues to haunt the present.
NYX: Did it take long to write, and did you want it to be spoken in Irish from the start?
JF: Writing the film was a detailed process, especially since it was always my intention to have it in the Irish language. This was crucial to ensure authenticity and to ground the story in its historical and cultural context. I'm passionate about creating more art in the Irish language, as it’s a beautiful, evocative language that deserves to be celebrated.
NYX: Did you write it with a cast in mind?
JF: Yes, I had worked with Tom Kerrisk, Anthony Murphy and Livvy Hill before, and I knew they were perfect for these roles. They are phenomenal actors, and their ability to bring the characters to life, especially under the challenging conditions we faced, was remarkable.
NYX: Talking of the cast, Livvy Hill and Tom Kerrisk are outstanding together, many of their scenes are intense, did they have much time to rehearse?
JF: We thoroughly rehearsed the film before arriving on set, ensuring that everything ran smoothly during production. Livvy, who didn’t speak Irish, had to learn her lines phonetically, and Tom had to master Ulster Irish, so the preparation was intensive. Their dedication paid off, and they delivered outstanding performances.
NYX: Did they stay in character at all?
JF: Given the intensity of the scenes and the immersive nature of the location, the actors were deeply engaged with their characters throughout the shoot. The challenging environment, including the freezing conditions, only added to the authenticity of their performances.
NYX: The location looks amazing, where did you find such a house?
JF: We shot the film at Coolattin House, an abandoned estate that had been untouched for 25 years. The location was so compelling that we adapted the script to fully harness its potential. The house itself became a character in the story.
NYX: Were there any issues whilst shooting this all on location?
JF: Filming in the dead of winter presented significant challenges. It was freezing, and the isolation of the location, with no Wi-Fi or phone service, made it a demanding shoot. However, these conditions also contributed to the film's immersive atmosphere.
NYX: The effects are very well realised, were they all practical?
JF: Yes, the effects in the film are practical. We wanted to maintain a sense of realism, which was essential to the story's authenticity. The cold breath you see on screen, the snow, and the frost are all real, contributing to the film’s raw and gritty aesthetic.
NYX: Will you be nervous when the movie is shown at FrightFest 2024?
JF: I was incredibly nervous; it was a dream come true to be part of such a prestigious festival. Seeing the film on the big screen in Leicester Square was surreal, and the response from the audience was incredibly rewarding.
NYX: Do you believe in ghosts?
JF: Ghosts in the traditional sense? Perhaps not. But I do believe in the concept of being haunted by the past, which is a central theme in An Taibhse. The trauma of history can linger and affect generations, and that’s the kind of "ghost" this film explores.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
JF: I’m currently working on a new project, an Irish-language coming-of-age romance. It’s a departure from horror, but I’m excited to explore the themes of love, identity, and growth through the lens of young characters discovering themselves and their place in the world.
NYX: John Farrelly, thank you very much.
