Let The Canary Sing
Let the Canary Sing is a documentary film about the life and career of Cyndi Lauper, directed by Alison Ellwood and produced by Fine Point Films and Sony Music Entertainment.
The documentary chronicles Cyndi Lauper’s meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact on generations through her music, ever-evolving punk style, unwavering feminism, and tireless advocacy. The film is a definitive feature documentary that will take viewers on a journey through Lauper’s life, from her early days in New York City to her rise to fame in the 1980s and beyond.
The Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s is a 2020 American-Irish-Canadian documentary film directed and produced by Alison Ellwood. The film chronicles the rise of the all-female rock band, The Go-Go’s, who are considered the most successful female rock band of all time. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 and quickly rose to fame with their punk rock sound. The documentary features candid testimonies from past and present members of the band, revealing their hard work, exciting times, and painful consequences. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020, and was released in the United States on June 30, 2020, by Showtime.
The Go-Go’s were the first multi-platinum-selling, all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs, and soar to No. 1 on the album charts. The documentary captures the band’s meteoric rise to fame and their impact on the music industry. The film also features interviews with other musicians such as Kathleen Hanna, John Lydon, and members of Madness and The Specials.
Mercury 13
Mercury 13 is a 2018 documentary film directed by David Sington and Heather Walsh. The film tells the story of the Mercury 13, a group of thirteen American women pilots who underwent the same tests as the Mercury 7, the astronauts selected by NASA for Project Mercury in 1960. The documentary explores the sexism and discrimination that these women faced in their pursuit of space travel and the subsequent denial of their opportunity to become astronauts.
The film was produced by Fine Point Films and Jigsaw Productions and was distributed by Netflix. It has received positive reviews for its portrayal of the Mercury 13’s story and the impact of institutionalized sexism on their dreams and aspirations.
Elián - A Boy Caught Between Two Worlds
Elián - A Boy Caught Between Two Worlds is a 2017 documentary film directed by Tim Golden and Ross McDonnell. The film tells the story of Elián González, a five-year-old Cuban boy who was rescued from the Florida Straits on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, after his mother and others perished at sea. The film explores the custody battle that ensued between Elián’s Cuban father and his Miami-based relatives, which sparked a flashpoint for simmering post-Cold War U.S. and Cuban tensions.
The documentary was executive-produced by Alex Gibney and was an official selection at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The film has been praised for its investigative journalism and its ability to shed light on the complex political and social issues surrounding the case.
Murder of a Chairman
Sean Brown, the esteemed chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club, fell victim to a brutal act of violence that shook the foundation of the community. On the night of May 12th, 1997, Sean Brown was ambushed by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force as he locked up the gates to the training ground. He was abducted, beaten, and shot six times in the head.
Revelations surrounding his murder have been harrowing for his family. It has come to light that over 25 individuals, including state agents, were linked to his abduction and killing. The family has called for a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sean Brown’s death. Former Police Ombudsman Baroness O’Loan has supported their plea, emphasising the need for transparency and justice. Despite the passage of 27 years, no one has been convicted for this tragic crime. The family’s quest for answers continues, driven by their unwavering determination to uncover the truth about Sean Brown’s untimely demise.
My Name Is Bulger
My Name Is Bulger is a 2021 documentary film directed by Brendan J. Byrne. The film tells the story of William Bulger, a former Massachusetts Senate President, and his brother James “Whitey” Bulger, one of the most notorious criminals in American history. The documentary explores the relationship between the two brothers and the impact of James’ criminal activities on William’s political career. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021.
The documentary features interviews with William Bulger and other family members, as well as former associates of James Bulger. The film also examines the role of law enforcement in the investigation of James Bulger’s crimes and the subsequent manhunt for him.
George Best: All By Himself
Maradona. Pelé. Best. Northern Ireland's legendary star remains one of the most naturally gifted footballers there has ever been. Famously called the 'best player in the world' by Pelé, George Best galvanized Manchester United's five-year recovery from the tragedy of the Munich air crash. His skill and exuberance inspired them to win league titles and the European Cup, even though he was little more than a teenager.
Tragically, his career in the upper echelons of sport was over before he turned 29, the result of his bruising battle with alcoholism and the crushing pressure of modern fame. (After all, this was Britain in the frenzy of Beatle-mania and 1960s youth culture, where Best was dubbed 'El Beatle' by the world's media.)
Producer John Battsek (2016's Oscar-nominated Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom, The Imposter, Project Nim) and director Daniel Gordon re-team after their acclaimed, Emmy-nominated Hillsborough to deliver a heartbreaking portrait of one of the world's truly great sporting talents, whose extraordinary gift was decimated by his own addiction.
MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD is a 2012 documentary film directed by Alex Gibney. The film investigates the issue of pedophilia in the Catholic Church, following a trail from the first known protest against clerical sexual abuse in the United States and all the way to the Vatican. The documentary details the first known case of public protest against clerical sex abuse in the United States by four deaf men who set out to expose the priest who abused them during the mid-1960s at St. John’s School for the Deaf. The film features the voices of actors Jamey Sheridan, Chris Cooper, Ethan Hawke and John Slattery, who provide the voices of the deaf interviewees.
The film was produced by Jigsaw Productions, Wider Film Projects, and Below The Radar Entertainment. It premiered on September 9, 2012, at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. The film received positive feedback from critics for its investigative journalism and its ability to shed light on the complex political and social issues surrounding the case. The film was executive-produced by Alex Gibney and was distributed by HBO Films.
Quinn Country
‘Quinn Country’ is a landmark documentary series produced by Fine Point Films for RTÉ. The documentary series details the rise and fall of Seán Quinn, a former billionaire businessman, and the repercussions for “Quinn Country” and for Ireland. The documentary is directed by Trevor Birney and produced by Andrew Tully.
The documentary series is broadcast over three consecutive nights on RTÉ One. The series is a fascinating insight into the life of Seán Quinn and the impact of his business empire on the local community. The documentary series is a story of ambition, greed, and ultimately, downfall.
No Stone Unturned
No Stone Unturned is a 2017 documentary film directed by Alex Gibney. The film delves into the unsolved case of the 1994 Loughinisland massacre in Northern Ireland, where six Irishmen were murdered while watching the World Cup at a local pub. The documentary investigates the possible involvement of a Unionist paramilitary group in the massacre and the subsequent police investigation.
The film was produced by Fine Point Films and Jigsaw Productions. It was initially scheduled to be released at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival but was withdrawn from the competition due to legal issues surrounding the subject matter of the film. The film has received positive reviews for its investigative journalism and rigorous approach to the subject matter.
Murder in The Badlands
Murder in The Badlands is a documentary series that examines the unsolved murders of four women over four decades in Northern Ireland. The series features insights from surviving family members, police officers, journalists, and criminologists.
Each episode of the series forensically rebuilds the timeline of the murders of the four women and the investigations that followed. The series is a gripping true-crime documentary that delves into the lives of the victims and the impact of their deaths on their families and communities. The series is available on BBC, Netflix and Apple TV.
One Million American Dreams
‘If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere…’
But what happens if you don’t make it in New York? What happens if you fall so far short of success in the world’s most iconic city that you can’t even afford to be buried properly?
Less than 16 miles from central Manhattan lies Hart Island, a 101-acre cemetery and the final resting place of over 1 million New Yorkers. But this is no ordinary cemetery. This is the last stop on the journey of the city’s unclaimed dead.
Hart Island is strictly off limits to the public. It is run by the city’s Department of Correction, which employs inmates from nearby Rikers Island to carry out weekly interments: poor and forgotten prisoners burying poor and forgotten people for 50 cents an hour.
From the brief lives of babies who died in hospital, to the lost lives of parents who drifted into poverty and oblivion, ONE MILLION AMERICAN DREAMS follows four families trying to reconcile themselves to the tragic stories of their loved ones who ended up in a cheap pine box at the bottom of a Hart Island trench.
Binding their stories together is the fidelity of family love and the unquenchable courage of life that transcends the darkness of death.
ONE MILLION AMERICAN DREAMS lifts the lid on one of the world’s most iconic cities in a gripping portrait of brave families searching for hope amidst the harsh reality of the American dream.
An Engineer Imagines
‘An Engineer Imagines’ is a 2019 documentary that pays tribute to the life and work of Peter Rice, one of the most distinguished structural engineers of the late 20th century. The documentary is directed by Marcus Robinson and is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
The documentary traces Rice’s extraordinary life and career, from his childhood in Dundalk to his work on iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House, The Pompidou Centre, and the Lloyd’s Building. The documentary uses stunning time-lapse photography and revealing interviews to tell the story of a genius who stood in the shadow of architectural icons. The documentary is a cinematic homage to the creative, humanist role of the engineer.
Wave Goodbye to Dinosaurs
Wave Goodbye to Dinosaurs is a 2017 documentary film directed by Eimhear O’Neill. The film tells the story of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, a women’s political party formed in 1996. The documentary explores the role of women in the Northern Ireland peace process and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated political landscape.
The film was produced by Fine Point Films and Jigsaw Productions and was an official selection at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary has been praised for its portrayal of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and their efforts to bring about peace in the region. The film has also been noted for its ability to shed light on the complex political and social issues surrounding the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The Agreement
The BBC documentary ‘The Agreement’ is a landmark documentary that features Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Bertie Ahern recalling the intense negotiations behind the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement was signed on April 10, 1998, and ended 30 years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. The documentary was released on the 25th anniversary of the agreement and provides an inside story of the negotiations that led to the agreement and the subsequent referendum.
The documentary is directed by Trevor Birney and produced by Stephen Douds. It is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The documentary is a story of history and hope, and it provides a unique insight into the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement is widely regarded as a significant milestone in the history of Northern Ireland, and it has been instrumental in bringing peace to the region.
Gaza
Gaza is a 2019 documentary film directed by Irish filmmakers Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and portrays the everyday life of Gazan citizens. The documentary depicts the lives of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip when they are not in the news. The film was selected as the Irish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Bobby Sands: 66 Days
“Bobby Sands: 66 Days” is a documentary film that chronicles the events leading up to the death of Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) member who died in 1981 after a 66-day hunger strike in prison. The film provides a detailed account of the hunger strike and the events that led to it, including the political climate in Northern Ireland at the time.
The Dakota Entrapment Tapes
The Dakota Entrapment Tapes is a 2020 documentary film directed by Trevor Birney. The film tells the story of Andrew Sadek, a 20-year-old college student who disappeared in May 2014 and was found dead almost two months later. The documentary reveals the abuse of power by law enforcement on a huge scale in the investigation of Sadek’s disappearance and death. The film was produced by Fine Point Films, based in Belfast, with the support of Northern Ireland Screen.
The documentary premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival on May 28, 2020.
Ryan McMullan: Debut
Ryan McMullan: Debut is a 2021 documentary film directed by Brendan J. Byrne. The film follows the journey of Ryan McMullan, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, as he prepares to release his debut album. The documentary is centered around a four-day recording and listening session in Cruit Island, County Donegal, where McMullan and his team assess all the songs competing for a place on the album. The film features candid interviews with McMullan, his mentor Foy Vance, manager/drummer Paul ‘Hammy’ Hamilton, and producer Eoin O’Callaghan from Elma Orkestra.
The documentary premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2021 and was released in selected cinemas from September 3, 2021.
Bojayá: Caught in the Crossfire
‘Bojayá: Caught in the Crossfire’ is a 2019 documentary directed by Oisin Kearney and produced by Fine Point Films. The documentary follows the story of Leyner Palacios, a community leader and Nobel peace prize nominee, who lost 32 relatives in one massacre. The 2002 Bojayá massacre was one of the worst mass atrocities in Colombia’s 50-year-long conflict. The documentary captures Leyner’s obstacle-filled quest in real-time, providing a fascinating perspective on an unfolding history in Colombia.
The documentary is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of peace. It highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity. The documentary is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Hear My Voice
“Hear My Voice” is a film that commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, which brought an end to the Northern Irish conflict. The film is inspired by artist Colin Davidson’s exhibition of paintings, “Silent Testimony”. It is a cinematic tribute to those who suffered loss as a result of the conflict.
Taking Back Control
In July 2022, a member of An Garda Síochána was convicted of the offence of Coercive Control. In Taking Back Control his victim gives up her anonymity to tell of the horrific abuse she suffered while pregnant and fighting terminal cancer.