The makers of the new Irish drama Wildfire have paid tribute to their late friend Nika McGuigan as her final film receives its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Danika McGuigan, known as Nika to her friends and family, passed away in July 2019 after a short illness. The daughter of former boxing champion Barry McGuigan and his wife Sandra was aged 33.
Nika McGuigan was well-known for starring as Danielle in the RTÉ TV series Can't Cope Won't Cope, as well as films such as The Secret Scripture and Philomena. She had completed filming Wildfire with writer-director Cathy Brady and co-star Nora-Jane Noone before her passing.
In a new tribute video, Wildfire: The Story of a Film, they share the impact Nika McGuigan had on their lives. The video also features Nika McGuigan talking on-set about the film.
"It's been a gift to be on this journey with these two remarkable actresses," says director Cathy Brady. "It's been incredibly painful to have lost one of them while making this film."
"I don't have the words to articulate what she means to me," she continues. "I really feel like she got to do what she wanted to do with that film; I hope to God she did."
"I think I am still grieving," says co-star Nora-Jane Noone. "And I think with the movie coming out it will help in being able to take in everything that Wildfire was. And is."
Backed by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, Wildfire has been described as "the story of two sisters who grew up on the fractious Irish border". The story sees one of the sisters, who has been missing, return home and as the bond between them strengthens once again, family secrets are unearthed.
Wildfire is dedicated to the memory of Nika McGuigan.
