Unit Stills Photographer — In the Land of Saints and Sinners

It was an immense privilege to be on set every day as the Unit Stills Photographer, capturing behind-the-scenes photography and on set moments that elevated the portrayal of this gritty, atmospheric “Donegal western.” Set against the rugged beauty of County Donegal, the film unfolds in 1974 against the backdrop of the Troubles, blending raw emotion with sweeping landscapes.

Directed by Robert Lorenz, the film stars Liam Neeson as Finbar Murphy—a former hitman in self-imposed retirement whose quiet life in a remote Donegal village is disrupted by an IRA cell on the run. The cast also features powerful performances from Kerry Condon, who leads the gang; Ciarán Hinds, as a conflicted local Garda; and Jack Gleeson, as Finbar’s younger, wayward protege.

Filming took place across evocative Donegal locales—Kilcar, Glencolmcille, Killybegs, Ardara, and the dramatic Silver Strand in Malin Beg—places where the land itself became a character in the drama.

As the film stills photographer, I had the rare opportunity to capture both fiery confrontations and quiet, reflective moments—Finbar’s internal struggle, Kerry Condon’s fierce presence, subtle exchanges in dimly lit pubs, and the silent drama of Donegal’s coastline. My stills contributed to the film’s visual identity across promotional materials, press campaigns, and social media narratives.

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Why This Project Matters
• Genre-defining tone: This film blends the sensibility of a neo-Western with uniquely Irish context and moral complexity—violence, redemption, and memory interweave in a remote village on the edge.
• Powerful ensemble: The cast—led by Neeson, with standout work from Condon, Hinds, Gleeson, and Colm Meaney—brought gravitas and depth to a violent, emotionally layered narrative.
• Visually arresting settings: The Donegal landscapes—windswept cliffs, quiet villages, coastal expanses—did more than provide setting; they grounded the moral and emotional journey of the story.
• Narrative origins rooted in Irish creativity: The screenplay grew from a university assignment by Monaghan writer Mark McNally, developed through NI Screen’s New Writer Focus scheme and brought to life by Robert Lorenz with passion and precision.

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Cast: Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon, Ciarán Hinds, Jack Gleeson
Director: Robert Lorenz
Writers: Mark Michael McNally & Terry Loane
Producers: Facing East, RagBag Pictures, Prodigal Films Limited
Locations: Kilcar, Glencolmcille, Killybegs, Ardara, Silver Strand (Malin Beg), County Donegal