BOBBY and Ernie are brothers. They are in their 80s and live in a farmhouse just outside Baileborough in Co Cavan. Ernie loves Spaghetti Westerns and spending time on his CB, while Bobby loves music, fixes clocks and makes box fiddles. Bobby also wants to fly a plane.
The Man Who Wanted To Fly is a film which took five and a half years to make. I watched it recently ahead of a radio interview I did with director Frank Shouldice and flying instructor Gerry Snodden. It is an intimate account of the simple life of two country bachelors.
While we wonder whether or not Bobby's dream will come true, we gain access to a very close knit border community, and a very simple way of living that has come to prominence this year, for obvious reasons. It’s also a way of life that could be a thing of the past in 10 years' time – who knows?
There’s one particular sequence which got me. Bobby is in his kitchen, making a cup of tea. There’s nothing only the basics in the cupboard, the sugar is kept in a butter box and he makes his tea in a china cup. He has a clean shirt on and has brushed his hair. He’s getting ready to go to the local pub to play a few tunes, and you can tell that he is excited. The innocence shines through. It reminded me of my great uncle who lived a similarly simple life, and he was full of goodness.
As for the flying, it’s Bobby’s dream. We see him buy a glider plane. It needs more money spent on it – is it fit for purpose? He then meets Gerry, the flying instructor, who is the perfect man for this job. It was evident from the way that Gerry spoke to me about Bobby, that their friendship will endure.
Bobby dares to dream. He left school at 13 and in his 80s sets about achieving his biggest goal yet. Director Frank told me that Bobby is now a celebrity in his local area. He is 'the man who wanted to fly'.
In an hour and a half, I had adopted both Ernie and Bobby as long lost uncles. I wanted to talk some more to them. They are fascinating people. We have so much to learn from them – from their lived experience and from their attitude to life.
In recent weeks, I have had to watch brilliant films for my work on the radio. While I was hugely taken by Bobby and Ernie and their simple life, I was completely enthralled by the fantasy world of Wolfwalkers, as explored in the final instalment of the folklore trilogy from Kilkenny-based animation house, Cartoon Saloon. With two Oscar nominations already for previous works The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, this film is marked for greatness.
While the film re-engages us with, or perhaps introduces us to the historical folklore of the Wolfwalkers – magical creatures who are wolves when they sleep, humans while they are awake – at the heart of the tale is a friendship between two little girls, from very different backgrounds, and the unquestionable bond of parent and child.
Set in 1650, during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the two main characters are Robyn and Mebh. Robyn’s father is a wolf hunter who has come to Ireland from England. His job is to rid the woods, and Ireland of the native wolf, which has been vilified by Cromwell. Mebh is a Wolfwalker. In her human form, she is a fiery redhead, with a personality to match. The child actors are a treat in this story of good versus evil with many twists and turns along the way.
I was beguiled by the beauty and magic of the animation of Wolfwalkers, I love how the work of Cartoon Saloon has reclaimed Irish folklore, and presented it to a global audience as something to be proud of, that we should all know and understand.
Both films will stay with you after watching them – I have added them to my list of Christmas films. I will watch them again and again.
Both are heartwarming, remind us of what really matters in life, and provide a much-needed lift ahead of Christmas 2020 – which, as we all know by now, will be like no other.
Guím Nollaig shona oraibh uilig. I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
