Debut feature film: Shadow Town
Post-production is about to commence on my first feature film debut. 'Shadow Town: Is ait a mac an saol' (Life is strange) is the new feature length creative documentary film by Conor English about the Fleadh coming to Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Directed by Conor English, produced by Ethan Scally & Will Russell, written by Will Russell, shot by Conor English & Isaac Burke
‘Is ait an mac an saol’ - Life is strange.
A midland country town swells to a population of half a million for one week during a Saturnalia that transforms it into an alternative metropolis championing culture, arts, revelry and diversity whilst reconciling with its own identity. Here is the first look at the teaser trailer.
Photo by Seamus Kiernan, Westmeath Topic Newspaper
Set to be complete in August 2024
Cheers
Westmeath Film Award 2023 - Film Bursary
‘A story full of heart that celebrates a culturally rich local community in Westmeath’
Delighted to announce that I have been granted the Westmeath Filmmakers Award 2023 - an annual bursary of €10,000 to create a short film.
Read more about it here: https://westmeathculture.ie/news/arts-news/a-story-full-of-heart-that-celebrates-a-culturally-rich-local-community-in-westmeath-filmmaker-conor-english-is-awarded-the-2023-westmeath-film-award/
Millie’s Maxol Magic (2023) - Documentary Film
‘What is seemingly irrelevant today, will be history tomorrow’’
Hello! I heard this said by a man in a documentary I was watching the other night…
‘‘What is seemingly irrelevant today, will be history tomorrow’’
This is one of the main reasons Im drawn to making films and photographs, especially of often overlooked or taken for granted, individuals or stories. I think it’s very important to preserve, save and archive these stories and ‘characters’ we have on our doorstep.
I think there is great beauty in learning something new, gaining a different perspective, taking a second to consider others and how we can help them or even getting an inspiring sense of good from another human being all from the most unlikely source - a man who runs a petrol station in the middle of Ireland.
We’ve did 3 sell-out local screenings so far, to over 500 people. Our first night at the Greville Arms Hotel, we donated all the proceeds to St Camillus Nursing Home Killucan where Millie himself used to volunteer with the patients. Thank you to John and all the staff at the Greville for a great night where Millie himself watched the film for the first time also. Possibly the greatest thing about the film is the ability to gather such crowds in the community together to celebrate a member of the community.
Our second night was in the new Omniplex Cinema in Mullingar. Thank you to Mark, Jason and Richie - this just wouldn’t have happened without the lads who went above and beyond to help us and support local filmmakers. Again another massive community effort and shows what a magical place Mullingar is.
Due to the demand, we did a 3rd and final screening to a full house in the Greville Arms. The next step for Millie’s Maxol Magic is the national and international film festival circuit. After this circuit is complete we will have the film readily available online for everyone to watch.
Big thanks to the local papers for the generous spreads and reviews. Thank you to Martin Quinn at JAM studios for mixing and mastering our sound.
Big thank you to Bernie Newman for the use and capturing the archival footage of Millie many years ago, without this we wouldn’t have the film we have today and look forward to working with Bernie in the future to archive and protect these stories for the future. This footage was on VHS video tapes in Millie’s kitchen and we only discovered what was on those tapes after completing our own filming.
As we embark on our next project I’d like to thank all the support from the community and the people of Mullingar. I think this work is very important and would love to continue to do it, we are in the process of looking for sustainable funding from various sources to continue the work - if you have a story of interest or just want to say hello, fire me an email at conorenglish.artist@gmail.com
Cheers