OM DENNE EPISODE
In this episode of Reel Talk, we’re joined by MJ Sullivan, Ben Keenan and Marco Beyermann, the creative team behind Contrition, a powerful short film inspired by the legacy of the Troubles and the lasting psychological impact of violence.
Haunted by a traumatic childhood experience involving an IRA hostage situation, Damien finds himself unable to escape the past. Years later, he sets out to confront Brendan, one of the masked men involved in the incident, who is now living under the guise of a priest. What follows is a tense and emotionally charged story exploring guilt, remorse, accountability and the possibility of forgiveness.
We speak with actor MJ Sullivan and co-directors Ben Keenan and Marco Beyermann about bringing this difficult story to the screen, developing characters shaped by trauma, and approaching a subject that remains deeply sensitive in Ireland. We also explore the creative collaboration behind the film, the challenges of telling a story rooted in painful history, and the responsibility filmmakers carry when dealing with such complex subject matter.
Contrition has been nominated for Best International Short Film, Best Actor for MJ Sullivan, and Best Editor for Marco Beyermann at the 17th Underground Cinema Film Awards
