My Life with Matt Real: 'I starred nude in a film written by my wife'

Killarney actor Matt Real gets into the nitty-gritty of taking it all off for his secondary-school sweetheart's directorial endeavours

Actor Matt Real: acting studies enabled him to be fully in control while acting in nudity scenes, one of which was filmed for the movie 'Contrition' written by his partner Rosie Byrne. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It might have been like any other movie night were it not for one minor detail. I was starring naked in a short film written by my wife Rosie. 

The project itself was an arthouse production. Something of a conceptual piece, it centred around a man trapped in the clutches of addiction. 

It was Rosie’s idea that I act naked in the film to further reiterate the theme of vulnerability. 

Ever the supportive in-laws, Rosie’s family huddled around the television set in eager anticipation. I had found a comfortable vantage point upstairs and away from burning gazes.

Meanwhile, Rosie had been tasked with the role of making tea for our watch party. She stirred every cup with exaggerated care and for considerably longer than necessary. 

I’ve no doubt there were others surrendering to embarrassment too. Rosie’s niece, who had just turned 18, specifically removed her glasses. 

It might have obscured her view, but maybe that was the point. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours. There were sighs of relief from Rosie and I as the credits finally started rolling. 

It turned out we needn’t have worried. Rosie’s family loved the film. I’ve always been really close to them. Sometimes I feel like they are more like my own family. 

They have always been very supportive in everything we do and this film was no different.

COMFORT IN SEX

Rosie and I have two children, Charlie, six, and Jackson, nine. We have always raised them to be comfortable in who they are. 

Our oldest has come home from school with questions about sex and while this has left us taken aback in the past, we have always found the means to talk about these topics in a child-friendly way. 

We’ve never attempted to hide the fact that sexuality and nudity exists. Your body is your body, and that’s okay.

It hasn’t always been that way. When we first started going out Rosie and I were 15 and 16, respectively. 

If someone had told us then that we would grow up to make a movie where I was fully naked we would never have believed them. 

In those days we were far happier enjoying movies from the comfort of our parents’ sofas. We never thought that making art together could ever be a possibility. 

That was until I dragged Rosie along to an acting class. From that day on, we were hooked.

Joining the drama school Actors Vision in Cork city years later was the making of both of us. 

Even the nudity wasn’t a big deal because of the training we had with our acting teacher Darren Kelleher.

We had done nudity stuff in class to prepare ourselves for situations like this. I was in another film called Smut directed by Owen Warren where nudity was also central to the role.

It was a group situation which made for a much more comfortable atmosphere. It was a similar vibe on the set of Contrition. Darren Kelleher directed and shot the movie.

Matt Real: "If someone had told us then that we would grow up to make a movie where I was fully naked we would never have believed them." Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

ATTUNED TO CRITICISM

The film — like many controversial projects — had a polarising reception.  As an actor, you become attuned to criticism. There were people who were shocked by the nudity. 

However, the backlash didn’t come from your typical demographic.  Young people came up to me after it was screened in festivals, describing it as “pointless” and “pornography like”. 

Meanwhile, the old ladies loved it and seemed to appreciate the film the most. Luckily, the positives far outweighed any negative feedback. 

We are all so proud of Darren Kelleher’s directing and cinematography but also the important message of Rosie’s script. I still laugh about the hesitation I had about being nude in a film. 

Ironically, it was a fully clothed appearance I made in an advertisement last year that ended up being banned. 

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) campaign depicted the driver, played by myself, being carried around by friends after losing his licence.

It had been criticised by some for being ableist and suggesting that people who don’t drive are a burden. 

While it was a disappointing result, we refused to let it dampen our enthusiasm.

Making films together has been great for Rosie and I, both as a couple and as parents.

We are very close, to the extent that we even work for the same company. 

Our day job is with a call centre which allows us the luxury of working from home.

The break between calls offers us the chance to discuss ideas for films and upcoming projects.

Having an artistic household has definitely rubbed off on our children. 

Jackson loves to paint and even created a copy of a Basquiat painting for us display in the house. Charlie on the other hand adores Minecraft. 

When the kids ask if they can see my films I try to brush off the question, saying “maybe when you’re older.”

Eventually though, when they’re all grown up, I’d like to see what Rosie and I created together. 

All these films are keepsakes of a life spent creating art together. Why wouldn’t you want to share that with your children?