An observational documentary set in post-conflict Belfast’s Ardoyne, where a marginalised, working class community has for generations been plagued by poverty, drugs and guns. This film charts the dream of headmaster Kevin McArevey and his dedicated, visionary team. It illustrates how critical thinking and pastoral care can empower and encourage children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their own community. We see how philosophy can encourage them to question the mythologies of war and of violence, and sometimes
challenge the narratives their parents, peers and socio-economic group would dictate.
Content warning: bullying
The director Neasa Ní Chianáin is one of Ireland's most established documentary talents. Neasa trained at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin, and worked as a freelance art director on Irish feature film and television projects, before switching to docs in 2001. She has directed 9 single docs (4 feature-length) and one TV series. The docs include Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie, which won Best Feature Doc at the Celtic Film Festival 2004 and was sold around the world.
Her last film, In Loco Parentis (a.k.a. School Life), has been a worldwide success, premiering in competition at both IDFA 2016 and Sundance 2017. School Life won the Special Jury Prize in the Golden Gate Awards at the San Francisco Film Festival, and an Audience Award (Prix du Public) at visions du Reel in Nyon. Neasa was also chosen to take part in the Sydney Film Festival's 'Europe! Voices of Women in Film', which selected 10 of Europe's most promising women directors.
Declan McGrath has taught film at Queens University Belfast, the Dundalk Institute of Technology and University College Dublin, and has written two books on the craft of cinema (Screencraft: Editing & Post-Production and Screencraft: Scriptwriting) for Focal Press/Butterworth Heinemann (each book has been translated into five languages).
Declan also directed the series Seinn Liom (2014) and Cad É An Scéal (2013) for BBCNI. He
has worked as an editor for over twenty-five years, cutting numerous award-winning dramas and documentaries.
Declan McGrath also regularly contributes to the American film journal Cineaste.
