| A Dazzling Debut By Grainne
McLoughlin
Irish film director Tara Norris is looking to steal Jim Sheridan’s
crown. And with her first short film having been accepted at the Magners
Irish Film Festival it looks like she’s off to a good start. The Birmingham-Irish
director chats to Grainne McLoughlin about her passion for film.
Shane, Wayne, Dwayne, Dane & Kylie are not the names of the cast members
in Neighbours but rather the title of Tara Norris’ five-minute short, which
was recently screened in Boston.
“This was the first film festival I had ever entered,” she says. “And
I am delighted with the response it’s had. I just hope I can be an inspiration
for other people, especially older women. I mean there is only seven per
cent of film directors that are women. And that’s certainly a number I’d
like to see increasing.”
Born in Birmingham of Dublin parents Norris has completed various courses
in video and film production, documentary filmmaking and screenwriting in
Ireland. And it was there that she drew inspiration for her short comedy,
which was set in Dublin.
“I wrote and directed Shane, Wayne, Dwayne, Dane & Kylie last year. Everybody
worked for me for free of course but I made sure they got fed,” she laughs.
“It was the best time. I remember phoning several Dublin hospitals asking
for their permission to film there, but every time the answer was no. Actually,
if it wasn’t for our sound guy — who knew the matron at Baggot St. Hospital
who arranged for us to use a four-bed ward — I don’t know what we would’ve
done.”
Norris is now planning to do a new short in the new year called Acid
Drop Granny while writing a feature script about a hen weekend.
Getting up close and personal with rí-rá Tara Norris reveals who she’d
most like to work with and who she’d most like to go out with.
What was the last album you bought?
Zen Zazie — she’s a French singer.
What was the last film you watched?
I have to cringe but I was forced at gunpoint to watch The Legend Of
Zorro. Of course I really wanted to watch a documentary on making igloos
in Inuit but they didn’t have it on Cineworld that night.
What TV programme would you not miss?
I don’t watch TV that much but if I had to choose I’d say, unashamedly,
Richard & Judy.
Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My cousin Tracy — she’s like my sister. She lives in Dublin and we get
on very well. Otherwise I could get rid of her and invite Gabriel Byrne
and no-one else.
What do you love most about Ireland?
Dublin, the fact that someone will always talk to you, the flexibility
of the people, the wild west, jugs of milk on coffee tables, soda bread,
the men with dark hair and eyes the colour of the sea and the lovely taxi
drivers.
Who would you most like to work with in the future and why?
Jean Pierre Jeunet because he does the most beautiful visuals and there’s
such a humanity in his work — he did Amelie. Also Neil Jordan, Fionnula
Flanagan, Colm Murphy and of course the lovely Colin Farrell — but I would
make sure I was wearing a stout corset first.
Best personal experience to date?
My birthday party of January 2004 in Dublin. It took a year to plan but
it was brilliant. My time in Paris is up there and when I make people laugh
with my films.
Best professional experience to date?
Being chosen for the Magners Irish Film Festival and being a film director.
If you weren’t pursuing this career what other profession would you
have chosen?
I’d love to be one of those people on TV who get paid for swanning around
on holidays. How do they get those jobs? I could do that job. I have the
swimming togs and the Factor 25 at the ready anytime.
What’s your greatest ambition?
To make lots of films that people just love. Films with an Irish slant
that make them laugh or think.
Favourite method of relaxation?
Having a bath, talking on the phone and eating lovely cakes with coffee.
The most important lesson life has taught you?
Even when it’s shite hang on and miracles will come. If you really want
something and take the steps towards it, things will happen. Believe in
yourself.
Humanity’s most useful invention?
The handbag, the mobile phone, the internet. I know I should say clean
water, world peace, the Swiss army knife but let’s be realistic and totally
selfish here!
What’s your favourite tipple?
Baileys, Lucozade. Yes, I’m a true hardened drinker!
What’s your greatest extravagance?
Travel — I’ve lived in six countries and travelled extensively. Oh, and
perfume.
How would you like to be remembered?
As dat wan with de aul multi-millionaire toy boy who’s mad on her, who
only got the Oscar ’cos all the other fillums were shite.
Most desirable date?
Gabriel Byrne, Paul Merton, Pat Shortt or any intelligent Irish man with
a sense of humour, dark hair, nice eyes who cleans his teeth and uses deodorant.
What is your favourite smell?
Real coffee, Ysatis, the sea spray.
And your favourite word/phrase?
Ah Jesus!'
Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Proofreading computer manuals in English in Paris, cleaning the Barcelona
Express train, having a small speaking part in Fair City where I was a cleaning
lady and I had to announce that I’d just found a dead dog in a toilet. Need
I go on? No wonder I write comedies.
First concert you ever went to?
As an almost-adult, it was The Clash at Manchester Apollo in 1977.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Would you ever go and get a second opinion?
Three songs you’d most like to have written?
I Am Stretched On Your Grave, Rose Rouge St. Germain and Je Ne Veux Pas
Travailler by Pink Martini. It means I don’t want to work.
Best career move?
Deciding to give up teaching, I taught French in Brixton for seven years,
went to Paris, got my soul back, then went to Dublin and did part time courses
in film.
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