The West Kerry Cowboy

Directed by Cian O’Connor / 2020 / 17 mins

Synopsis

Big Mac and his dad Frank live a lonely life in the heart of West Kerry. After his mother’s death, Big Mac falls into a secretive world. On the day of her anniversary, Big Mac has a confession to make. The West Kerry Cowboy is a comedy drama about a man looking for acceptance of himself through acceptance by his father.

Director Statement

The West Kerry Cowboy is based on my experience growing up in rural Ireland. I have always been intrigued by slice of life stories set in stark rural landscapes. The West Kerry Cowboy is a film about a father and son relationship strained under the weight of male societal norms.

I wanted to present a film that sheds light on a misunderstood faction of society while also exploring the universal theme of self acceptance. Furthermore, I aimed to explore the complexity and depth of rural Irish identity: the tensions between tradition and modernity, old values, and new beginnings.

Festivals

January 2020

Toronto Irish Film Festival (World Premiere).

March 2020

Manchester Film Festival (UK Premiere).
Garden State Film Festival (North American Premiere) – Awarded Best International Student Short.
Royal Television Society of Ireland Awards 2020 – Best Drama Nomination.
Emerging Directors Awards 2020 – Best Student Film Nomination.

May 2020

Carmarthen Bay Film Festival – Nominated for Best Celtic Short.

October 2020

IndieCork Film Festival

Credits

Producer: Peter Kilmartin

Cast: Donncha Crowley, Fionnuala Flaherty, Finbarr Doyle.

Director Bio

Cian O’Connor is a filmmaker from the West of Ireland. The Kerryman newspaper has described Cian’s work as “stories from the West of Ireland, with echoes of the past and lessons for the present”. He has won awards from Fresh Film Festival, Junior Galway Film Fleadh and Charlie Chaplin Comedy Festival. Cian’s films have also been screened at Galway Film Fleadh, Fastnet Film Festival and Dingle International Film Festival.

Director Cian O’Connor.