In the view of Academy Award-winning movie producer David Puttnam, the Irish Government and the Stormont Executive should considerably increase their financial contributions to cross-Border cultural initiatives as a means of enhancing the reflection of the island’s narrative. He expressed concern that currently, the necessary support from these areas is lacking, despite the film and television industries’ potential in fostering mutual comprehension and a collective vision for the future.
Mr Puttnam was present at a celebration in Dublin for the 5th-year commemoration of the Puttnam Scholarships. This programme annually unites eight filmmakers from the North and South to participate in workshops conducted by the esteemed director from west Cork, resulting in 32 graduates thus far.
Culture, he emphasised, is a fundamental pillar upon which shared understanding is built, and it ought not be dismissed as a luxury by governments who potentially may not recognise its importance fully.
Despite significant commercial triumphs like Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland receiving attention from those in the Republic, Mr Puttnam stated there is a common belief that stories unique to Northern Ireland are being neglected. He also highlighted a sentiment of envy observed among Northern Irish filmmakers towards their counterparts in the Republic, owing to the substantial state aid available there.
Drawing from his experience as an Oscar laureate for ‘Chariots of Fire’ in 1981, Mr Puttnam underscored that success in the Republic manifests through commercial achievement, while in Northern Ireland, it comes from the telling of local stories, not only those bringing commercial success.
Mr Puttnam reflected on the challenges of film production forty years ago, recounting his struggle to staff two film crews for his 1984 film, Cal, a narrative about an IRA volunteer who falls in love with the wife of an RUC officer he killed. With only around 80 personnel split between Newry and Dublin, each crew had its vulnerabilities. Today, a project of the same scale would require 200 crew members.
Meanwhile, Puttnam praised Northern Ireland’s burgeoning commercial achievements, stressing that trained professionals should remain locally rather than seeking opportunities in London or other regions. The Puttnam scholars also had a chance to interact with Oscar-nominee director Lenny Abrahamson and Ed Guiney, the co-founder of Element Pictures, best remembered for major films such as Room, The Favourite, and Poor Things.
When asked about untapped stories for Irish filmmakers, Puttnam highlighted the significant untold history of immigration. During a visit to a school in Dublin, he was struck by the list of top-yielding students from the previous year and the lack of traditional Irish names among them. He commented on the richness of these untold success stories.
Looking ahead, Puttnam predicted that Ireland’s basketball scene in the coming years would feature Irish-Nigerian girls, a thought-provoking narrative that could challenge right-wing ideologies. The question remained: would it be celebrated or used to stoke division?