It’s the ultimate Sophie’s Choice of the 1990s – the miracle of new life versus the miracle of the Italia ‘90 penalty shoot out.
Writer and director Kev Cahill’s new short film chronicles the toughest decision of a young dad’s life, and he’s won world-wide applause for his efforts. Not only that, but the legendary Harvey Weinstein has sat up and taken notice. It’s dream-come-true territory for Kev, who joined Dave Fanning on The Ryan Tubridy Show to share how it all happened.
Kev was chosen out of over 4000 entrants to have his next film fully funded – not only that, but as part of the prize, Harvey Weinstein would be producer. Entry requirements stated that you had to have a previous film shown at a festival and it was at the Rhode Island Film Festival that Kev first heard about the opportunity from one of Weinstein’s own people.
"I was staying with my cousin Emily in Boston so I bought a bottle of whiskey for Emily. At the end of the night, the reception was winding down, there was nowhere else to go. This guy comes over to me and goes, "I’m Joey Horvitz from the Weinstein Company," and I said, "I’ve got a bottle of whiskey in my bag, Joey." Sorry Emily - me and Joey and a few others finished off the bottle of whiskey that night and I don’t know if that had any bearing on the competition!"
Whether or not there was magic in that bottle of whiskey, it was certainly a fortuitous meeting for Kev who soon found himself in the final stages of the prestigious competition. He was tasked with writing a treatment for a short film on the topic of anticipation. Kev went for a double whammy, combining childbirth with the footie and hitting all the right notes.
Of course, having Harvey Weinstein on speed dial opens doors and Kev describes rubbing shoulders with Hollywood heavy hitters at the premier of his film.
"We were in the green room before the film and Cuba Gooding Jr was saying, these guys are going to be my future bosses and, can I get you a sandwich, so I said 'Yes, ham and cheese please Cuba!"
What else would Kev call the film but The Nation Holds Its Breath? You can see it on the RTÉ Player here.
