Growing up as a teenager In Northern Ireland in the 1990’s in the midst of ‘The Troubles’ was no picnic. In a country torn apart by an extreme religious-led political climate, day-to-day life was tough on all those trying just to survive in the middle of all the conflict. It was even rougher for any single gay person where homosexuality was not only frowned upon by the bulk of the population, but rejection could mean physical and mental abuse and even bodily harm.
Fintan (Oliver Scullion ) is expected to be the man of his family with his father long gone and his mother given up on most of her duties so the responsibility for his younger sibling has fallen mainly on his shoulders. He gets no thanks for that and when his mother stirs ahe and greets him a whole slew of abuse and was probably the one responsible for the bruise marks across his back. After having found some gay porenographic pictures secreted in the house, she angrily threatens him that no son of hers would ever be gay.
Fintan seeks refuge by staying the night at the home of his best friend Caelan (Conor Gormally) and after telling him his plans to escape and move away for a better life, Fintan suddenly realises that there is someone who does care for him after all.
Though this wonderful wee film will particularly provoke reactions to people who grew up in the Province, it is a compelling coming of age story that will strike a chord with all of us that grew up struggling with our sexuality.
Written and directed by Ethan McDowell, the movie also stars Geraldine Galligan, Ciara Gallagher and Josh Hegarty
Labels: 2019, coming of age, Irish, short
