A
short film, Produced and Directed by Nerve Centre staff, has been awarded
overall winner of the UTV 'Home' Scheme in 2003.
'Dunmore Gardens - A Window On My World' tells the story of lifelong Creggan
resident Nan Doherty. Nan moved into Dunmore Gardens when the house was
first built and still lives there to this day.
Over her years there Nan has raised a family of 9 girls and 4 boys with
her husband Mickey, who passed away in 1999. The film charts Nan and Mickey's
romance and their move to the newly built Creggan Estate. There are also
a few stories about bringing up a large family in Derry thrown in for
good measure. Nan's story is one that will be shared by many in Derry
and is guaranteed to bring a smile to any face, and maybe even a few tears.
Produced by Sharon Concannon and Directed by John Peto (pictured left
with Nan), the five minute film was recently awarded first prize in the
annual UTV 'Home' scheme for new film makers in Northern Ireland. A delighted
Sharon Concannon gave an insight into its personal meaning to her:
"Nan is a neighbour of mine who I have known all of my life. I just knew that she would be perfect on camera, she is great craic and always has a story to tell. The film is a great thank-you from me and, indeed, all of the people that she has touched over the years."
Director John Peto commented: "Nan is a really warm person, she welcomed
us into her home and showed no nerves at all in making what is a very
personal film about her life and family. Her honesty is what makes the
film work."
One of the key strengths of the film is the music, written especially
for the piece by local duo 'Little Hooks'. One of the band, Ruairi O'Doherty,
hails from Creggan and knew of Nan before being asked to write the song
- "For me the song has real personal meaning, Nan's family are similar
to my own and she put me in mind of my own mother. When Marty McGill and
I got together to write the song it was just powerful and has resulted
in one of our strongest songs, and now this award for the film."
The film will be shown throughout the coming year at various times on
the UTV network. The Little Hooks song 'Home' will appear on their forthcoming
album, to be released at the beginning of 2004.