With a film and theatre career spanning almost forty years, Alan Gilsenan is one of Ireland's most prolific and revered directors of drama and documentary film, with a filmography that includes acclaimed works such as The Road To God Knows Where, All Souls' Day, Meetings With Ivor and The Yellow Bittern.
This April, he's the subject of a 'selective retrospective' at the Irish Film Institute, a programme of screenings that includes two of his four feature dramas, alongside a number of documentary works - a selection of titles are available to stream via IFI@Home.
We asked Alan for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
Recently, I was charmed, moved and mystified by the wonderful Shanghai Daughter from Agnis Shen at the East Asia Film Festival. One to watch out for when it goes on release. I also loved Gianfranco Rosi's ghostly, monochrome portrait of Naples in Pompei: Below The Clouds (currently on MUBI). And uplifted too by Brendan Canty’s debut Christy - beautifully shot by Colm Hogan.
MUSIC
So much, too much.. Revisiting Prefab Sprout on vinyl; Mavis Staples’ poignant new album Sad And Beautiful World; Nduduzo Makhathini’s ceremonial 2024 album; Dolores Keane (of course, bless her); Mad Skillz; Rainy Sunday Afternoon, the sumptuous new album from The Divine Comedy.. The younger daughter has also introduced me to the wonders of the Bad Bunny while I hear exciting intimations of a new album from John Francis Flynn.
BOOK
Books are my true cultural pleasure and I usually have far too many of the go at once. Recently, I’ve been captivated by William Maxwell’s classic novel So Long, See You Tomorrow; Phillipe Sands’ recent 34 Londres Street; the Collected Poems of Leland Bardwell (thankfully published by Salmon Poetry); Ramita Navai’s timely portrait of Tehran, City of Lies; Ken Rosen’s Polar War; Sorj Chalandon’s harrowing novel The Fourth Wall (forthcoming from Lilliput) and, finally, Catherine Morris’ unclassifiable and beautiful meditation Intimate Power, Autobiography of a City.
THEATRE
A new play from the great Frank McGuinness is always to be celebrated so I’m anticipating Do You Come From Gomorrah? at the Abbey and I can’t wait to see Brokentalkers’ touring production of Bellow with the inimitable Danny O’Mahony and his extraordinary accordion playing. A true gem of a man. Not a play, of course, but taking the stage in early May is the work of the Greek choreographer Christos Papadopolous. His joyous My Fierce Ignorant Step is at the Dublin Dance Festival.
TV
To be honest, most mainstream television leaves me cold although my heart warms to The Great Pottery Throw Down and I was also much taken by Steven Knight’s This Town, a beautifully broody return to the two tone world of the British Midlands in the 1980’s with a great central performance from Levi Brown. You’ll also find me - coffee and biscuits in hand - glued to a rugby match or ten, concentrating inappropriately hard.
GIG
The last gig that I was at was a wonderful evening at Vicar Street with Ye Vagabonds. But I am really looking forward to the upcoming gigs by the legendary Jim O’Rourke, together with the great Eiko Ishibashi & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, as part of the NCH’s Perspectives series. I was thrilled to have Jim and Caoimhín compose the score for my latest film, The Journey of Weather-Exposed Bones, inspired by poet Andrew Fitzsimons’ magisterial translations of Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō.
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ART
I greatly enjoyed Siobhán McDonald’s recent multi-faceted exhibition Passage at The Lab in Dublin. Currently at IMMA is a major exhibition of artist Camille Souter (in an unlikely pairing with Alberta Whittle). It’s a timely reminder of Souter’s brilliance as a painter. It also reminded me of her old studio in a shed on Calary Bog in Wicklow, lovingly preserved by artists Grainne Cuffe and Brian Vahey. The studio is something on an installation in itself, a touching memorial to Souter’s radical heart.
PODCAST
Hugh Linehan’s Inside Politics and Joe Molloy’s Indo Sport podcasts are regular companions during the morning shave. But I’d really recommend The Americas Quarterly Podcast if one is - as I am - passionate about what’s happening in Latin America.
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TECH
I’m very struck by Sally Hayden’s Instagram feed. We all know her as a powerful writer and vital witness to global unrest but little did I know she also had the sensitive eye of a fine photographer.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
The next big thing will be the hugely talented Irish actor Terry O’Neill. Or, if he isn’t, he should be.
On April 30th, Alan Gilsenan will be joined by fellow filmmaker Pat Collins at the Irish Film Institute to reflect on a career in film - find out more here
