Dogleap Productions’ REROOT screening as part of Liverpool Irish Festival
Date Posted: October 28, 2022
The Liverpool Irish Festival 2022 has launched a new short animation film, REROOT written by local children’s TV writer, Claire Handley, and created, directed and produced by local filmmaker, Connor Richmond of Dogleap Productions. REROOT received funding from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.
The short film has been produced in both English and Irish language and was commissioned by Liverpool Irish Festival, Gael Linn and An tUltach. It links to the Festival’s 2022 theme of ‘hunger’ by looking at character identities and how they’re motivated by different needs (mental health, community cohesion, culture and environment).
The short film features a star-studded cast of contemporary talent, including the voices of Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls/Holding); Orla Mullan (Marcella/The Fall); Sadbh Breathnach (Sol); Liam Fox (Emmerdale); Morgan C Jones (Boys From County Hell/Vikings); Aaron Barashi (Thomas and Friends/Ladybird & Bee); Aidan McCann (Red Rock/The Holiday); Philip S McGuinness (The Responder/The Alienist); and Diona Doherty (Penance/Give My Head Peace).
REROOT is a fun, family-friendly adventure story, grounded in community, and is delivered by an ensemble of discarded objects, quirky weeds and wildflowers, as they communicate a universal message. It follows Plastic Bottle who is thrown into a weed-filled patch of urban wasteland underneath a Belfast carriageway. Homesick, she feels down-in-the-dumps. Ever an optimist, she tries to fit in with the eco-community growing around her and makes friends with the other wild-lives. But things soon catapult in another route when they learn that home is where the heart is.
The film is available to view now as part of the Liverpool Irish Festival, by visiting: https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/reroot/.
Connor, Producer/Director comments: “Whilst humans battle with issues of division and diversity, our eco-community suffers. REROOT provides viewers – young and old – with an opportunity to talk about difference in a positive, celebratory way, whilst learning about our natural world, carbon foot printing, cultural heritage and the importance of minding ourselves (and the minds of others). If we have the right conversations for actionable change, then humans can live in harmony, embracing all kinds of identities”.
The short film received additional finance support and was Executive Produced by Lynn and David Coleman for DAL Productions, Louise Gallagher for Gallagher Films, Áine Walsh for Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, and Andy Blazdell for CelAction, plus Turning Point NI, Aisling Ghéar Theatre Company, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and Lovely Looks Boutique, Limavady.
Connor continues: “It has been a wonderful education and experience working with all Execs on this, including NI Screen who have supported the project through their Irish Language Broadcast Fund. REROOT is such a special opportunity to tap into the imagination of our viewers; to celebrate and explore folklore and the welfare of our wildlife and wild lives in a contemporary and original way. It’s a story about individuals, place and connection. What grounds us (and them), through the thunder and rain of such dark times, is the colour and zest of our collective community spirit; our sunshine and light! Friendship is instinctive meaning we can break down barriers to overcome difference. Really, we’re all wildflowers learning how to grow, so this is about all of us. No flags or divisive borders, just the colours of the rainbow and our character’s conversations”.
Set in Belfast – a place currently on the front pages due to Irish Sea border and Brexit debates – the underpass represents a mythical space, woven in to the fabric of folklore and fairy tales. It’s the perfect space to hear indigenous words from the wild. Irish-language voiceover director, Clíodhna Ní Chorráin, adds, “It is a wonderful opportunity to set the Irish language on the world stage. Encouraging us to return to our roots reminds us of the importance of identity”. She recalls the proverb: ‘Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin’ (‘there’s no place like home’), before explaining “REROOT celebrates the beauty of our native place. Through the excitement and playfulness of these wild lives, audiences can find a true sense of belonging, hope and heritage”.
As the war in Ukraine rages; news of refugees, displacement and the creation of diasporic migrant groups is rife. For those with a sense of ‘home’ there is a commonly held belief that identity and language provide roots. Chiming with ‘hungers’ and need for nourishment, warmth and safety, the film nods to diasporic experiences of being far from home; feeling lost and lonely and being isolated within new communities. These feelings can trigger mental health issues and anxiety, flagging the importance of personal wellbeing; connecting with nature; breathing fresh air; laughing and crying; listening and learning… nourish to flourish.
Claire Handley, reflects: “In a world where we can often feel adrift, this story underlines the societal goal of sustainability and peaceful co-existence. I’m so excited for audiences to meet these little characters”. Claire wrote the script based on Connor’s original story. Together they’ve developed each character’s meaning. Dandelion symbolises the return of life and resilience. Forget-Me-Not embodies true love and respect. Nettle represents healing. Claddagh Ring epitomises friendship, loyalty and love. Face Mask presents mental health struggles (especially relating to the pandemic) and – lastly – Plastic Bottle depicts non-environmentally friendly, single-use waste.
“As we meet the wild lives – in their patch of wasteland – we realise this barren, abandoned space is their whole world. For them it’s a place of adventure, learning and friendship. Together, they are diverse and dynamic; they have an ecology and learn to love what ‘home’ means to them”, adds Connor.
REROOT was produced by an entirely Northern Ireland crew. It was art directed and designed by Maebh McHugh; animation directed by Liam Wheatcroft; storyboarded by Rosie Cash; animated by Jessica Maple; edited by Charlotte Kieran; and sound designed by Keeney & Stronge Ltd, with a musical score composed by Calum McCormick.
REROOT’s creative team would like to thank all financiers, cast and contributors for supporting the project. Connor concludes: “We hope to remind viewers, around the world, that no matter where you find yourself, you can always find a way back home. Using your identity by speaking with people about it is a way of keeping it alive. If there is an action to take away from REROOT, it is to speak to one another, learn from one another and understand the skills and differences we can offer one another as well as going green. We encourage you to do both”.
REROOT will also feature in the 22nd Belfast Film Festival on Sunday 6th November 2022 at 1530, as part of the NEW IRISH CINEMA SHORTS: PROGRAMME 3, in the Strand Arts Centre.
Tickets are available at https://belfastfilmfestival.org/event/new-irish-cinema-shorts-programme-3.
