Independent filmmaker, Maurice O’Carroll has finally made his Laois-based movie available for the public.
‘Mountrath Unlocked’ was filmed and produced during the COVID lockdown before its premier at Galway Film Fleadh.
Speaking with LaoisToday, Mr O’Connell explained that he had been living in Laois as his wife was working in the Midlands.
“When COVID hit and we were all locked down we had the two-kilometre lock-down zone, so I just decided I’d go out with my camera,” he said.
“I knew it was extraordinary times and I wanted to document it.
“At the time, I didn’t even know if I was allowed out – I had Guards telling me to go home – but I said ‘no,’ it was too important.”
Maurice managed to compile a broad group of contributors from all walks of life in Mountrath, despite admitting he knew very few people in the area.
“I reached out to some of the business owners, because obviously (lockdown) affected them. I knew they didn’t want to close the businesses they had worked so hard to get off the ground,” he said.
“I wanted their viewpoint and it organically happened after that.
“I reached out to one, and he sent me to someone else who sent me to someone else, who said ‘do you know who you should talk to…’ and on it went.
“So, I decided I’d try to get as wide a cross-section of Mountrath as possible.
“What I set out to do was to look at COVID, but it ended up being a portrait of the town and the community.
“I had been up there for eight years and I kind of didn’t know anyone – so in a way, it was a great thing for me to start to get to know everyone.”
The film has been a critical success, receiving recognition in both Ireland and further afield.
“We got into the Galway Film Fleadh, which is one of the most prestigious festivals in Ireland.
“We went to the British and Irish Film Festival in Luxembourg; and then the Irish Film Institute (IFI) took it and put it online on their platform.
“With all the complications and aggro that went with COVID, I then decided to put it in my back pocket – just until we all had time to heal and reflect, and then look at it retrospectively – and I think now is the right time to release it.”
‘Mountrath Unlocked’ offers a wonderful insight into rural life during lockdown, but what does Maurice want people to take from his film?
“There was a lot of documentaries and content going around that was very dark and people mentioned that.
“But this film is about hope, and it’s about community, and it’s about looking after the small things.
“And that was a big message that everyone had; we forgot about the small things in life, like chatting to your neighbour, and how important it is that we support each other in time of grief – and that was taken away from us.
“I think it just made us realise that community is so important, and no matter what challenges hit you, if you have a strong community behind you, you’re going to rise above it.
“Mountrath have showed that over the years. They’ve been hit by recession, the bypass took all their business away, but they keep stepping up because there’s such good people there.
“There are good people everywhere, and we just need to stay connected to each other.”
The documentary is now available to buy online. Those who wish to watch the trailer, or purchase the movie for €9.99, can do so here.
Mr O’Carroll is releasing the Laois-based movie ahead of his new project, ‘Swing Bout.’
“My latest film, ‘Swing Bout’ is a boxing movie which follows a young woman’s journey from her dressing room to her ring walk in a night of deceit and betrayal,” Mr O’Carroll said.
“The film is having its World Premiere at Dublin International Film Festival on February 26.”
