email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

Padraic Delaney • Actor

Shooting Stars 2007 - Ireland

by 

Padraic Delaney began his career as theatre actor in 2001. After several main roles in various Irish television series, he landed the lead role of Teddy in Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes the Barley [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ken Loach
interview: Rebecca O’Brien
film profile
]
(see Focus), which won the Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

Cineuropa: You worked with Ken Loach on the film The Wind That Shakes the Barley. What touched you when you read the script?
Padraic Delaney: Ken Loach did not give the script to the actors. We discovered the full script after shooting finished. Every morning, he gave us the scene we would shoot the day after. We did not know the script for the following days. We even did not know what direction the story would take. I was happy to receive the script scene by scene, I could concentrate on the scene without thinking of the main script. This method may scare some actors, but I found it very stimulating.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Do you think it’s important for you to be in films that are incorporate some political issues?
Yes, of course. Ken Loach’s film is very representative of Irish history in the 1920s, but we can also see some similarities to what is happening in the Middle East and Central America, Afghanistan, Iraq or China today. Torture and violence are a reality and are entering everyday life and cinema can have a role in educating people. Cinema has a cathartic effect. It is important to deliver some political message.

What kind of films would you like to make in the future?
I would like to continue working with people that like their work and to find good roles. I do not really care about genre. I love Almodovar’s films, and Jim Sheridan’s.... I would like to touch upon everything – small films, big films and epic scale films as well.

How do you see Ireland cinema abroad?
I think it is quite popular to be Irish today. People perceive Irish cinema as and dense and political. Irish films relate to our history. In recent years, the Irish government has done a lot to boost the local audiovisual industry. Simon Perry (director of the Irish Film Board) played a major role in improving the Irish industry.

What are your expectations of the Shooting Star event?
I know some actors who participated to the Shooting Star event in the past. For me it is important to share experiences and have European exposure.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy