Pat Murphy is one of Ireland’s most distinct filmmakers. Through her nuanced style and complex characters, Murphy’s films offer profound insights into Irish identity, women in society, conflict, and love. Her first feature film, Maeve (1981), provided a groundbreaking look at the lives of three Belfast sisters during ‘the Troubles’. Murphy followed this with Anne Devlin (1987), which highlighted the role of the titular character in the 1798 United Irish Rebellion and the harrowing treatment she endured during her incarceration. Anne Devlin also marked the second collaboration between Murphy and actor Bríd Brennan.
In 2000, Murphy released Nora, starring Susan Lynch and Ewan McGregor. This film portrays the relationship between Nora Barnacle and the iconic writer James Joyce, examining the profound influence she had on Joyce and his literary creations, alongside the paradox of her invisibility in his work.
In this interview hosted by Rose Baker, Murphy reflects on her career and life, from her early days in Belfast in the 1950s and 1960s to her transformative experience at the Whitney Museum film course in New York, where she befriended filmmakers such as Kathryn Bigelow and Lizzie Borden. Murphy discusses the importance of collaboration and open-mindedness in filmmaking and provides insights into her documentary projects, including Tana Bana, a study of weavers in the Indian city of Varanasi.
After Image is a project launched in collaboration with Docs Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive to capture and preserve the memories of individuals who have made an enduring impact on the region’s screen presence and representation.