The Welfare of Tomás Ó Hallissy

Inspired by anthropological studies into the huge incidence of mental illness in rural Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s, The Welfare of Tomás Ó Hallissy revisits Paul Hocking and Mark McCarty’s 1968 production The Village. Seen through the eyes of two American anthropologists who arrive at Dún Chaoin, a small village in the west of Ireland, to study its dying culture, the film is a portrait of a society on the brink of irreversible change. It revolves around the protagonist, Tomás, a speechless 10-year-old boy, whose life spans the cusp of the old world and the new. Meanwhile the anthropologists question their own methodology as they struggle to get beyond the opaque and ritualistic social relations that define this place as the local community mistrusts and misconstrues their intentions.
by Duncan Campbell
with John O'Sullivan, David Murray, Frank Bourke, Lesa Thurman, Luke Pierucci, Noel O'Donnovan, Calum Heath, Áine Ní Mhuirí
Ireland / United Kingdom 2016 English 31’ Black/White

With

  • John O'Sullivan
  • David Murray
  • Frank Bourke
  • Lesa Thurman
  • Luke Pierucci
  • Noel O'Donnovan
  • Calum Heath
  • Áine Ní Mhuirí

Crew

Written and Directed by Duncan Campbell
Cinematography Rina Yang
Editing Duncan Campbell
Sound Design Pete Smith
Sound Alex O'Brien
Production Design Til Frohlich
Costumes Sarah Yeoman
Make-Up Patsy Giles
Casting Sarah Jones
Assistant Director Benjamin Crowe
Production Manager Lisa Kelly
Producers Patrick Campbell, Aoife McGonigal, Morgan Bushe

Fastnet Docs

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Duncan Campbell

Duncan Campbell, born in 1972 in Dublin, Ireland, is a video artist based in Glasgow. He trained at the University of Ulster and the Glasgow School of Art. His work is often based on intense archival research and questions how history bears on the present. In particular, he uses his films to explore how social, political, and personal narratives are constructed and relayed over time. His work has been awarded and showcased in solo and exhibitions at venues worldwide.

Filmography

2004 Fall Burns Malone Fiddles; 33 min. 2006 Oh Joan, No; 12 min. 2008 Bernadetta; 37 min. 2009 Make It New John; 50 min. 2011 Arbeit; 39 min., Forum Expanded 2012 2012 It For Others; 54 min. 2016 The Welfare of Tomás Ó Hallissy

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017