How do you unwind at the weekend?
I guess during the Covid era, I really learnt how to unwind. It was a case of needing not just my work. Now I live in St Leonards in Sussex with my dachshund Betty. I moved here from Dublin as I didn't want to be typecast as an Irish film-maker, and there's a real artists' colony here that is founded on community whereas things got a bit corporate before. About seven years ago a friend of mine, Muiris Crowley, introduced me to night swimming. He's absolutely mad about it and when in Dublin, I'd go wild sea swimming. I've also got into rowing since lockdown. The sea is calming; we're so small by comparison to its immensity. But it's also got an intensity and can be fierce sometimes.
What do you remember most about weekends growing up?
I remember my mum taking me to speech and drama classes in Newry on Saturday afternoon as I was quite shy. From six to 16 I participated in the local feis and recited poems. I progressed to monologues and found it really exciting. I also did duologies with Valene Kane who went on to act in Star Wars. Acting didn't come easy to me as I had a sense of vulnerability. In film, as opposed to theatre, it's all about feeling it and how the body responds. In Wildfire, there's a dance scene and we workshopped it and it became physically wild, electric. The film is about sisters who have an intense bond that's strengthened by trauma.
Do you have a must-hear weekend radio programme or podcast?
Not radio, no, but I do like the Tara Brach podcast on meditation.
Do you have a must-watch TV show or Netflix?
I recently watched The Tourist with Jamie Dornan, who is so charismatic. It's something I enjoyed as entertainment. I'd watch Six Feet Under on repeat - my favourite TV show of all time.
Is Sunday still special?
Sunday for me is the day I get together with a group of friends for our 'culture Sunday'. Three of us are single women and we love the chance to meet up, go to a gallery, see a show in the cinema. They've become family. It's a time to reach out for the community and friends. I went to Mass when I was growing up until I was 16, then stopped.
Have you a favourite eatery or is it a takeaway?
I love cooking and really got into it during lockdown, so I'd make something like fish curry. I spent two months in Kerala, southern India, when I was working on the draft of Wildfire.
How do you feel on Sunday evening about Monday morning?
I'm a freelancer so in a way I'm in control of my schedule. I think, 'OK, what am I going to do, what would I like to do this week?' So I can factor in the gym, walking the dog and a drink at 10pm, that's my luxury.
Wildfire is being screened at the Ormeau Community Centre on February 17 and continuing to tour, ending in Ballycastle on March 26. Information at filmhubni.org.
