Local film creates a stir around the globe

It's been an eventful few months for well known Mullingar businessman turned filmmaker Noel McIntyre.

Noel's first foray into the competitive world of film making, which features Mullingar wood carver Richie Clarke, has been accepted for screening the Kyoto International Film Festival.

Being selected for the festival in Japan would be an achievement in itself, but it is only the latest in a growing number of film festivals around the globe where Noel's film, I Created You, has been screened this year. This month alone the film has been shown at a film festival in Madrid and The Still Voices festival in Ballymahon, while it has also been screened at two film festivals in the US.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Noel says that there is a lot of competition for screenings at festivals and he is “thrilled” at how the film has been received.

“I didn't realise the significance until I spoke to a couple of people that I have met through the process. Even to get accepted for a screening at a film festival is a massive deal. They literally get thousands of entries from all over the world. It's a prestige thing, to have your film screened is massive.

“It's also very satisfying because people are watching a story about an artist from Mullingar in his element.”

The film follows Richie's creative process as he turns an oak stump in the grounds of Belvedere House into a sculpture of the legendary High King of Ireland, Malachy.

Noel says that the film's success is down to Richie and his passion for what he does.

“At the end of the day it's about Richie Clarke. He's a very interesting character. I would imagine that he's not the sort of guy who would open up to anybody but very quickly the camera became invisble to him. I think that's a real factor because through the whole film he speaks very naturally.

“At one one point Richie invited me into his workshop one evening.

“I said 'Do you mind if I hook up the recorder. We chatted for about four hours.

“That's where I got the quality audio I used. I learned that in film you just need to spend time on a project and little moments of magic will appear. You have to spend the time and they do appear.”