From a dark, dramatic comedy to the uplifting story of an anxious call centre worker, Tracey Harding is blown away by the quality of film from the Oska Bright festival.
Country strife: a wish list from beyond the grave forces two brothers together in An Irish Goodbye
The British Film Institute platformed a range of learning disability films and filmmakers this spring when it screened a series of short films from the Oska Bright Film Festival.
The programme – Oska Bright Lights –included animation, comedy, drama and dance, and many of the films’ actors or directors won awards.
This was an amazing showcase of the talent that is developing across the world by people with learning disabilities and affirms Oska Bright Film Festival as a world leader in pioneering learning disability film and production.
The programme for the evening included films from Australia and the UK and covered themes including LGBTQ, body image and mysterious black holes…
Black comedy on brothers’ bucket list
An Irish Goodbye (2021) is a wonderfully funny black comedy about two brothers who have been living apart – one as a farmer and the other in London.
Filmed against the backdrop of Northern Ireland, particularly a farm (pictured), it is the second short film from Tom Berkeley and Ross White.
The brothers are brought back together following the death of their mother, and it is obvious that neither is happy that they are forced to spend time with each other.
One of the brothers, Lorcan, is played by James Martin, who has Down syndrome. He previously starred in ITV series Marcella and BBC series Ups and Downs.
Lorcan is a dedicated farmer and has been managing the farm competently since his mother’s death, but his brother Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) must now make care arrangements for Lorcan to go and live with their aunt, which means giving up the farm that he loves.
As the brothers make arrangements for the funeral, a conversation with the local priest reveals an interesting development. They discover their mother has left a bucket list, to be completed by both of them, and Lorcan seizes the opportunity – he agrees to leave the farm only when they have completed all 100 tasks on it.
What follows is a warm, genuinely laugh-out-loud film about the power of love and the relationship between siblings who realise they have more similarities than they care to think.
As they embark on a journey to complete all the tasks, they also explore their own grief and, in doing so, draw closer together and discover a mutual respect for each other. There is also a very funny twist to this tale which I won’t divulge.
The film is beautifully shot, with attention to detail, showcasing the stunning scenery of Northern Ireland. But what really makes it so appealing is the first-rate performances from a talented cast, particularly Martin, who is an ambassador for Mencap Northern Ireland.
Interviewed in the Sunday World in October, he discussed how he hoped his work would encourage other young actors: “I’d like to open doors, not just for people with Down syndrome but autism, physical disabilities, hearing impairment.”It is hoped this film will go on general release soon.
The birds of freedom
Another feel-good film screened was The Secret Life of Tom Lightfoot (2021), directed by Ray Jacobs.
Featuring actors from learning disability group Arty Party, based in Shropshire, it tells the story of Tom (Graham Busby), a man who goes to his workplace every day – a call centre called We Have The Answers.
People ring to talk through their problems and ask questions. Tom, however, is struggling himself, as he has his own problem that is occupying all his thoughts and concentration.
He has anxiety and, every day, when the pressure becomes too much for him, he goes up onto the roof of the building and lets out what is inside him.
What flutters inside him are thousands of birds which he releases when he opens his shirt and opens his heart. The birds are created beautifully by animation, which shows starlings flying towards the sky. Only when they are released into the sky can he truly let himself go, and he dances and moves with the joy of being free.
While Tom struggles to keep his secret, it does not go unnoticed. His colleague Sandy (Becky Keir) realises something is wrong and, when they are out with people from work, she approaches him to tell him that she knows what is happening.
The 10-minute film has a beautiful visual style, which contributes to the overall magical feel of the story.
Tom represents the loneliness and anxiety that many of us feel and keep hidden and shows the happiness that can be achieved by sharing and releasing the things that we find difficult.
The film has won multiple awards and been shown at more than 30 festivals worldwide. Talking to the Shropshire Star in October 2021, Arty Party director Ray Jacobs said it was so important to represent disabilities within film, and they were thrilled the film was doing so well.
Secret Life is a delight, celebrating diversity within its casting and deserving its success and attention. n
