Actors of Aran – Stars in a starless film
The story I am working on is set on the Irish island Inismore and based on true events. In 1934, famous film director Robert J Flaherty came to the island to make a documentary film about life on the island: Man of Aran. The story of this film and the three main characters – Colman ‘Tiger’ King, Maggie Dirrane and Michael Dillane – fascinates me deeply. I try to reconstruct their (possible) lives and shape it into a visual narrative. I give attention to the Aran Islands and the impact of the film. But also to the period surrounding the London film premiere, the sudden fame that overtook them and their lives afterward.
Call for information
I have already conducted extensive research: newspaper archives, books, eyewitness accounts, and visits to Inishmore. There is a fair amount of material about the making of the film, the public response, and the promotional tour. But around the beginning of the Second World War, the trail fades. I am interested in:
- (Oral) stories, memories, and anecdotes about Man of Aran.
- The lives of Maggie, Colman, and Michael
- Materials such as newspapers, photographs, letters, postcards, maps, etc.
Do you have information or are you interested in the story, please let me know Contact.
More information
- Press release [link follows]
- Magazine offering a first impression of the project see below.
