Director hoping disability tale will win over audiences

Irish director Damien O’Donnell has high hopes that, Inside I’m Dancing, will score with cinema-lovers on its release later this week.

The tale has already won the regard of viewers at Edinburgh Film Festival, where it scooped the audience award, and President Mary McAleese has given it her seal of approval by attending tonight’s Dublin premiere.

“It got a brilliant reception in Cork it was amazing, really heartening,” the Dublin born director said of the feature’s prestigious opening slot at the film festival. “I think it is a film made for audiences.”

The delicate tale of friendship follows Michael, played by Steven Robertson, a 24-year-old with cerebral palsy as he abandons a long-term care home to make a stab at life on the outside, with his newly-found friend Rory O’Shea, who has muscular dystrophy.

Rory, played by Scottish actor James McAvoy, moves into the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run strictly by Eileen (Brenda Fricker). The irrepressible character entices Michael, they both forego the home for their independence and move into a flat.

“Ultimately it is a love story, of friendship, liberty and love, the two guys meet in a care home and find common interests. Then both fall in love with the same woman,” O’Donnell said.

The director, whose first two films East is East and Heartlands were well-received said the storyline was universal and many people would associate with their path to freedom.

O’Donnell said: “They were two very hard parts to play, I had to look very hard for someone to bring them to life. For actors who had personalities themselves.”

The Dublin director said he had cast for the parts with a “completely open mind”, and Steven Robertson and English actor James McAvoy did a brilliant job.

The cast also features Romola Garai, Gerard McSorley and Tom Hickey.

O’Donnell said he was nervous ahead of tonight’s Dublin premiere in aid of the Centre for Independent Living.

“This is the big one, there will be dignitaries and VIPs, and disabled groups are coming to see the film, they are going to be the hardest audience.”

The director will be joined by cast members Deirdre O’Kane, Brenda Fricker and Tom Hickey as the red carpet is rolled out at the Four Season’s Hotel.

President McAleese will attend, along with actress Pauline McLynn, television host Pamela Flood, singer Brian Kennedy, actor Allen Leech and Mary Davis, the chief executive of the 2003 World Special Olympics.

O’Donnell said he was first approached about the script in April last year.

The film was based on an idea and story by Christian O’Reilly, who was campaigning for independent living, and then scripted by Jeffrey Caine, who also worked on Goldeneye.

O’Donnell said Inside I’m Dancing, which was filmed in Dublin, was quickly finished – just 13 months later.

During production the team visited care homes, met doctors, speech therapists and many who were experts in the area of disability.

“We just didn’t want to make anything wrong. Although with a drama there is a certain amount of artistic licence, we wanted to make it a reflection of people’s real experience,” he added.

:: Inside I’m Dancing will be released nationwide on October 15.