NORTH CIRCULAR
Multi-award winning Journey Through Dublin’s History, Working-Class Culture and Unbreakable Creative Spirit
Opens in NYC on Friday, July 28 at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema
NYC Theatrical Premiere at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema:
July 28-August 3 with Opening Weekend Q&As
Featuring the Filmmaker & TBA Musicians From the Film
Shot in atmospheric black and white, NORTH CIRCULAR is a mesmerising documentary musical that travels the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, exploring the turbulent history, diverse music and vibrant streetscapes of the legendary city artery linking some of Ireland’s most beloved and infamous places. The multi award-winning film opens theatrically in New York City on July 28th.
Dara Messinger, Programmer at New York’s esteemed DCTV Firehouse Cinema, said “Stepping into the world of North Circular, I found myself instantly immersed in a sensory symphony. What a delight to be transported so far yet feel so close. These songs and stories resonate beyond borders. I’m so grateful to share this piece of Dublin with NYC.”
Director Luke McManus said; “Bringing North Circular to New York City is massively exciting and a week of screenings downtown at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema, a community-run documentary cinema is a perfect fit for the film. I’m really looking forward to sharing the music, stories and history of Dublin’s North Circular Road with New York audiences.”
Featuring captivating intimate stories and musical performances from a wide variety of subjects and artists from North Circular’s working-class communities, the film vividly portrays the creativity fueling the resilient spirit of the city and nation. From the haunting legacies of British colonialism and the prison-industrial complex, to the fight for women’s liberation and personal perseverance, NORTH CIRCULAR also engages with the urgent current issues of gentrification and displacement, including the battle to save the iconic Cobblestone Pub – the epicentre of Dublin’s folk revival – from destruction at the hands of cynical property developers.
North Circular continues to screen to Irish audiences at various cinemas 8 months after initial release.
The film includes musical performances from artists local to the North Circular, including John Francis Flynn, Séan Ó Túama, Eoghan O’Ceannabháin, Ian Lynch & Gemma Dunleavy.
Writer & Director: Luke McManus | Editor: John Murphy | Producers: Luke McManus & Elaine Gallagher | Camera: Patrick Jordan, Evan Barry, Richard Kendrick, Jamie Goldrick, Luke McManus
“Those in power write the history, those who struggle write the songs.”
World premiere: Dublin International Film Festival 2022 (Special Mention, Best Documentary)
Awards:
American Cinematographer Magazine Award – Salem Film Fest 2023
Grand Prix in Music Documentary Competition – FIPADOC 2023
Best Documentary Award – Louth International Film Festival 2022
Best Sound on Screen Award – Thin Line Fest 2023
The Spirit of IndieCork – IndieCork Film Festival 2022
Official Selection:
Sheffield DocFest 2022
CPH:DOX 2023
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2023
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2023
BAFICI – Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival 2023
DOXA Documentary Film Festival 2023 & more
About Filmmaker LUKE MCMANUS:
Luke McManus is a director and producer based in Dublin. Luke has produced and directed award-winning projects for NBC, Netflix, RTÉ, Virgin Media Television, TG4, NDR/ARD, Al Jazeera and Channel 4, winning four IFTAs, one Celtic Media Award and the Radharc Award in the process. His debut feature as producer was The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid, which premiered in the Main Competition at IDFA in 2018, won the George Morrison Award for Best Feature Documentary at the Irish Film & Television Awards and the Best Irish Film Award at the Dublin International Film Festival. North Circular is his debut feature documentary as a director.