The Science of Ghosts

In the presence of director Niall McCann and musician Adrian Crowley

In this meditation on storytelling and filmmaking, musician Adrian Crowley becomes a ghost visiting his own life, imagining what a documentary about himself would be like, blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, reality and imagination, subject and director. Directed by Niall McCann, the role of the musician is ‘played by’ Adrian Crowley playing the role of himself, just as each of us do each day and as Derrida plays himself in ‘Ghost Dance’, the film from which the documentary title is derived. The film is filled with the sonorous vocals and beautiful melodies of Crowley, and also features stunning performances by Radie Peat of Lankum, Brigid Mae Power, the Crash Ensemble and an appearance by the celebrated Irish writer Kevin Barry.

“McCann cleverly juxtaposes the sublime with the even more sublime and always manages to carry it off with panache. As experimental films go, I would suggest this has tones of Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deran, 1943, USA), with its unpredictable reminiscences – McCann’s wonderful offering allows and encourages viewers to think for themselves – it is what makes his film well worth seeing.”
(Film Ireland)

Image: Gregory Dunne