Open Asylum - 40th Anniversary Edition

Open Asylum is the debut feature by Colm Villa, a powerful drama set in Northern Ireland during the early 1980s. The story centres on Tom Bradley, a young metalworker whose life is upended by the intense political turmoil of the time. The film delves into both personal and societal struggles amidst the backdrop of conflict, with a particular focus on class and sub-class dynamics—an often-overlooked theme in narratives about the Troubles.

Villa’s direction, filmed on location in Derry and surrounding areas, authentically captures the raw atmosphere of the era. The decision to shoot on Super 8mm film lends a unique, nostalgic texture to the visuals, enhancing the emotional weight of the story. In this restored 40th-anniversary edition, a new score by Score Draw Music—featuring jazz trumpeter Linley Hamilton—further enriches the film’s emotional depth, providing a modern layer to its timeless themes.

We are thrilled to present this restored version of Open Asylum in our archive as the definitive way to experience the film. We are also excited to announce that it is now publicly available for viewing on our website.

Colm Villa reflects on the film’s significance:

“Open Asylum — the extraordinary within the ordinary. This film was made between 1978 and 1982. I was just 23 years old when I began making it.

The Hunger Strike erupted in spring 1981, as I was finishing the editing process in the United States. By the time I completed principal photography in late 1980, the Hunger Strike was already simmering in the background, and its tensions are reflected in the film.

The story explores the moral and emotional deprivation of ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances. It examines how what was once abnormal became normalized—fear, anxiety, and both material and moral deprivation. It’s about the ‘hard underbelly’ of paranoia and violence that permeated not just the lives of the tenants in the flats but also the larger world surrounding them.

The completed film was first shown in Derry in May 1982, but after that, it remained largely unseen, forgotten by many. That is, until Francis Jones and Northern Ireland Screen championed its restoration in 2022. With the new technology, this long-forgotten film has found a new lease of life, now housed in the Digital Film Archive at Northern Ireland Screen, ready to be discovered by new audiences.”

Watch the restored film here.