Mattress Men (2016)
Colm Quinn’s superb documentary is about Paul, a serially unemployed father of three who works one day a week in a mattress showroom. To stimulate sales, proactive Paul invents the goofy persona of Mattress Mick for his employer, Michael, to play, and creates ridiculous videos involving rap songs and a DeLorean. This is a funny and moving film, which foregrounds the struggle for dignity. The editing of the film is excellent and elegant which lends the film a graceful and humane feel. The videos made by the team have to be seen to be believed. Watch out for the guy in the mattress suit trying to get customers in. He walks away with the film. (Volta)
★★★★
Barbaric Genius (2012)
Paul Duane’s remarkable documentary about the rise, fall and rise again of John Healy, who in turn was a drunk, a thief, a chess master and a brilliant writer (his book The Grass Arena is now considered a classic). His tale is a fascinating one that takes in mental illness, violence, pain and redemption. Through Duane we get a little bit of insight into a fascinating and troubled who is difficult to get to know. To watch Healy play chess simultaneously with a number of people (an aggressive style is apparent) is thrilling and the stories of threatened violence against his publishers are intense. A must watch. (Volta)
★★★★
In a House that Ceased to be (2015)
Ciarín Scott’s astonishing documentary purports to be a biography or hagiography, to warm our heart to see the wonderful Christina Noble helping children everywhere. What we get instead is a headlong plunge into the hellish nature of Ireland’s collective past. It is the disturbing, disgusting and shameful past that threatens to overtake us. This is not just a story of one woman. It is the story about Ireland, of the shameful practices carried out by the Catholic Church with the blind blessing and consent of the Government. There is humour here as Noble is an extremely funny woman but this is devastating film. (Volta)
★★★★★
Pyjama Girls (2010)
Maya Derrington's terrific and underseen documentary tells the story of that early 21st century phenomenon of young girls in Dublin wandering around shops wearing pyjamas. Or does it? It is certainly a jumping off point to take a more nuanced look at the pressures on young girls, particularly in working class areas where supports can be inconsistent to say the least. It also obliquely looks at the decimation of the inner city of Dublin through heroin. But this is no misery porn. There are laughs to be had, and the two girls, Lauren and Tara are delights. Derrington is an empathetic director with a light touch. I would like to see her make more films. Essential. (Volta)
★★★★
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