Cork director: I wanted to make an anti-war film and avoid glamorising violence 

Rising Cork talent George Lynch has cemented his status as one to watch after his latest short film, Fragmented, earned him the coveted Best Director award at the First Cut! Youth Film Festival in Youghal.

The film, set in Cork during World War II, carries a powerful anti-war sentiment that Lynch developed during his time at UCC while studying for a Master’s in film.

“I wanted to dissect an element of cinema and was looking at war films,” he explained

“I came across a quote by François Truffaut. He said there is no such thing as an anti-war film because many of them inadvertently glamorise violence and action, which can undermine the anti-war sentiment.

“I thought it would be an interesting challenge for myself not just to dissect what makes a film an anti-war film, but also to try making a film with the intention of it being anti-war, and to avoid glamorising the violence related to it.”

In Fragmented, a family man returns to his wife and daughter from the front, dealing with PTSD and suffering the mental and physical consequences of facial disfigurement, and wearing a mask to hide his injuries from the world.

Lynch says he learned about the masks in school, and the idea stayed with him.

“I came across this topic of the masks while I was working on an art project for my Leaving Cert,” he said.

“I always found it a fascinating subject and theme, but I wasn’t sure how to translate that into a film until I began working on my paper.

“That is when I realised this was the right opportunity to tell a story about the consequences of war and its destruction, without glamorising the violence involved.”

Lynch, who comes from Farran, spent a lot of time researching before writing the script.

“I did extensive research into the historical context of the film, focusing on the time period and on characters dealing with PTSD and trauma.

“Even though the story is fictional, I wanted it to feel authentic, something that could easily have happened in real life, to a soldier, a veteran, or their family.”

At just 24, the young film-maker has plenty of experience making short films and says he was supported by many local collaborators to make Fragmented.

“In terms of production, the film became a true collaboration among some amazing Cork filmmakers and local talent,” said Lynch.

“Having made films in Cork for several years, I have built a great network of friends and colleagues who are passionate about film-making.

“Once I finished the script and understood the resources required, I reached out to everyone I thought might be interested in telling a story like this.”

Lynch says he is especially thankful to the film’s producer, Sean Ford. “I do have to give credit to Sean, because he managed to bring together a lot of the crew.

“He has been working in film for the last few years, and he seems to know everybody in the industry.

“It was also great to work with people I hadn’t met before,” added Lynch. “like the cinematographer Sean Leahy. He was able to recommend Hazel Cronin, the first assistant director for the production, because he had worked with her before.

“Everyone involved seemed to bring someone else to the production. I feel fortunate to have had so many people contribute to the project.”

The film stars Sarah Faye Terry, who will also appear later this year in the World War II Jimmy Stewart biopic, Jimmy, filmed in Cork.

Lynch said it was brilliant to work with an actor on the verge of major success.

“Working with Sarah was an absolute treat. She was so professional, enthusiastic, and interested in the historical side of it as well as her character. It wasn’t an easy role for her to play.

“She doesn’t have many lines, but she still managed to show what her character, Lily, was going through, really tapping into the emotional side in scenes. She was on the ball the whole time.

“She’s going to have an amazing career, she has had an amazing career so far, and it’s only going to get better from here.”

The film was shot at Greenhill Farmhouse in Newcestown, West Cork, in a property owned by William and Carmel O’Mahony. Lynch says it was a spectacular place to work.

“William and Carmel were very accommodating and excited for the opportunity to have a film shot at their house, especially since it is such a historically significant building.

“It was built in the mid-19th century, it was used as a safe house by the IRA during the War of Independence. Supposedly, Éamonn de Valera hid out there for a while as well.”

Lynch says it is important to make films like this, which highlight the ongoing cycle of war in the world. “When you look at history, and when you see what has been happening in recent years - and now in Iran - the common thread is the tragedy and cycle of violence and war. It seems to be a constant in human history.

“The sad part is that the destruction and trauma remain long after the war is over, and you can feel that in society as you get to know people and see how their lives have changed. I’m not condemning the use of action in war films, but I do think it’s important to show the other side of it as well.”

Fragmented is currently on the festival circuit. See Instagram: @fragmented_film_