Turlough Ó Cinnéide(Kennedy): “The only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up”
He is an exceptionally talented artist, full of inspiration and insight. We can describe him as a pink diamond, rare in his kind. He perfects everything he faces and reaches the top. As a director, he emphasizes to the main canvas, the eyes, and through the image, he evokes emotions in the audience and in this way changes their lives.
Turlough Ó Cinnéide(Kennedy), is a first-degree honours graduate of TUS University and also an award winning Director, Cinematographer and Composer with over 15 awards and ten nominations. His work is internationally acclaimed and is currently in the festival circuit.
The Breaking(2022), The Cathedral(2022), Born From Fire(2022), Gaslight(2020)and Monos(2022) are his magnificent short films. He founded the “Dolmen Films” in 2017, in order to develop Irish talent, across Ireland and internationally.
The great Director Turlough Ó Cinnéide(Kennedy), open his heart through his interview at femalevoice.gr and talked about his character, his career, his work, his dreams and his next plans. Let΄s follow him!
- Who is the real Turlough Ó Cinnéide behind the director?
Hard to say really. Away from people, I am quiet, happy to talk to myself, to spend time with animals and not be surrounded by noise. I enjoy a nice pipe or cigar, the odd glass of wine…I lie, a bottle is much better! Motorbiking, composing music, as well as other hobbies, speak to me because they allow me to enjoy life but recharge from the hectic world of filming. I also love to sword fight and travel during the summer to tournaments with my group.
- Tell us a few words about the Dolmen Film production company and what is the symbolize behind it’s name?
Dolmen films helps to promote talent and skills of filmmakers in Ireland and abroad. We help to bring productions together, as well as producing our own. The name derives from the dolmen tomb, a feature of old Irish history. The dolmen represents the cycle of life and death. The entrance faces East, the rising sun, and the back of the tomb faces West, the setting sun. When the sun rises, the shadow will travel from the mouth to the back of the tomb where the body is located bringing life to it, and then in the evening the light recedes, bringing death. The circle of life. Likewise with stories, you only have a set amount of story themes that are retold and reshaped again and again. So, like the dolmen, we represent the birth, death and rebirth of stories, hence Dolmen Films.
- With whom artist it is your secret dream to collaborate with and why?
I am very boring, I don’t have one per say and unfortunately all my favorite actors are dead. I am more interested in the stories I can tell. My dream would be to make films in the future without the red tape involved, to make peoples imaginations come alive and see wonderful and amazing worlds.
- As an artist, what do you want to show up to your audience through your deep directorial vision?
For me its more about how can I make them feel. Giving someone a feeling is far more powerful than ramming a message down their throat. When people feel, it allows them to reflect inwards, and maybe change something inside of themselves for the better. For example, a project I was involved with a few months ago had the theme of the importance of family and adoption. I later learned from the main producer that a couple, after seeing the music video, were inspired to adopt a child. It felt good, knowing ones hard work and imagination helped change a child’s life.
- What is your metier as a director and as a character, that makes you master and professional?
I think I’m still a fare bit away from being these two words. Just stick at it and do what you do to the best of your abilities.
- I noticed that in each of your short films, you focus on the expressions of the protagonist and mainly in the picture in such a realistic and raw way, why do you do this?
90% of communication comes from the eyes. You can learn a lot from a person through their eyes…and their shoes. I love it when I can draw an actors performance through their eyes. It is far more powerful, the subtle movements, than the big gestures and lots of words.
- What is the flavor of success in your life?
Family, solitude, good food and having hobbies.
- Do you think there is anything you would like to change in your life, and if so why?
Tough to say, but I would like things to slow down more. I feel my life is very chaotic and that is mainly to do with how volatile the film industry is. We spend far too much time running to the clock when instead we should chuck it out the window.
- Tell me your opinion about the war, economic and painful situation we are living in as a society this time of period, and if you believe we can find the golden ratio all together?
Turn off the news and social media. Stop reading headlines and instead appreciate the beauty of the world around you and the reality that most people you meet are good people. Help those who need help and maybe listen more.
In the words of Pope Francis: “The only time we should be looking down on someone, is when we are helping them up”.
- What are your next steps and plans?
We are currently in production of a short thriller slated for June. After that we will begin prep work for a feature and we have a subsequent feature planned as well. 2025 and 2026 will be busy. Maybe I will take a long holiday to Greece after.
Social media:
instagram: Instagram
linkedin: (1) Turlough Ó Cinnéide | LinkedIn
Dolmen Films: Dolmen Films | Ireland
