Profile Maeve Murphy: Writer and Director

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Maeve was born in Northern Ireland and educated at Cambridge University where she was the secretary of the Cambridge Footlights. Her first short “Amazing Grace”, starring Aiden Gillan ( BFI/N. Irish Lottery) premiered at the London Film Festival and sold to Film 4. “Salvage” (N. Irish screen) starring Orla Brady premiered at the Cork Film Festival and was broadcast on R.T.E Her debut feature “SILENT GRACE”( N.Irish screen/Irish Film Board) also starring Orla Brady premiered at the Galway Film festival 2001. It received widespread critical acclaim Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said” bodes well for Murphy’s future movies.” Tara Brady of Dublin Hot Press said, “Maeve Murphy must be some kind of genius...wonderfully humane” Ronnie Scheib of Variety said “Assured helming by newcomer Maeve Murphy, unflagging pace throughout.” SILENT GRACE was awarded the Soka Art award. Released by Guerilla Films in cinemas in the Uk and Ireland in 2004. In 2014 SILENT GRACE was subject of a chapter in Jessica Scarlata’s new book on “Gender and Incarceration in Irish Film” It is discussed with “Some Mother’s Son”, H3 and “Hunger”.

Maeve’s second Feature BEYOND THE FIRE, starring Cara Seymour and Scot Williams, premiered at the Belfast Film Festival in 2009. Maeve as a director was awarded Best Film ( UK) at the London Independent film Festival 2009 and Best Film ( International) at the Garden State Film Festival USA 2010. It was also selected for New British Cinema at the ICA. Controversy broke out around the film when at the height of the church abuse scandal RTE said “there was no appetite for the subject.” Survivors expressed their fury in The Irish Independent and Ben Frow of TV3 told The Irish Independent that broadcasters had a duty to tell important subjects. TV3 then gave it an instant broadcast in 2010 calling it “shocking and controversial.” Sunday Mirror Ireland said “TV isn’t always mean to be easy” and made it their “Must See” film. Belfast Telegraph described it as “unsettling but brilliant drama.” Met Film Distribution received funding from UKFC for BEYOND THE FIRE’s release in cinemas in 2009/2010. Peter Bradshaw The Guardian said “it’s unironic belief in the power of love is attractive” It was broadcast by BBC2 2013, and made “Pick of the Day” Daily Mail.

Maeve’s third feature “TAKING STOCK” starring Kelly Brook was shot and edited in 2013/2014. The film is currently in post production. An extract of it was shot as a teaser short entitled SUSHI. This won the Sub-ti International Short Film Award which was announced and awarded at the Venice Film Festival 2011, “Venice Days” were judges. The announcement of the film with Kelly Brook was widely covered by the British Press.