Bio

 

Born in Dublin in 1952, Cathal Black was prominent in the first wave of indigenous film-making that evolved in Ireland in the 1970s.

 

A true survivor in a country in which cinema is rarely allowed to be different, Black has persisted and delivered work of immense cinematic integrity that continually critiques the notion of Irishness itself. While his achievements (like that of the similarly stubborn Joe Comorford) have been sometimes overshadowed by the New Waves mainstream aspirations, Blacks talent and value as an Irish film-maker will not go unnoticed by future generations. He is in pre-production on a feature documentary on Irish/South African composer, Kevin Volans, and has just set up a new film company called Nightingale Films Ltd.

 

Learning Gravity is a documentary about Irish-American Poet and Undertaker Thomas Lynch.

 

The facts of life and death remain the same, Thomas Lynch, observes. We live and die, we love and grieve, we breed and disappear. And in between these existential gravities we search for meaning, save our memories, leave a record for those who will remember us.

White Man Sleeps - in pre-production. A feature documentary on Irish/South African contemporary composer, Kevin Volans. IFB/Arts Council/ZDF/3sat

 

The Velvet Road is a Feature Film co-written with Philip Davison.

 

This is the story of a young man who, in spite of formidable forces ranged against him, finds his second chance at loving. There is tragedy in The Velvet Road, but light burns brightest in the dark. The sharp reality of lives unraveling then coming together is depicted through poetic imagery.

Filmography

 

LEARNING GRAVITY

2007

 

LOVE AND RAGE

2001- Feature – 100min

 

THE INVISIBLE WORLD

1997 – Documentary – 53min

 

KOREA

1995 – Feature – 87min

 

PIGS

1984 – TV Feature – 78min

 

OUR BOYS

1981 – Docu-Drama – 42min

 

WHEELS

1976 – Short – 27min 

Awards

 

Learning Gravity

 

Nominated, Best Single Documentary – Irish Film and Television Awards 2008

 

Winner, Silver Trophy – New York Television Awards 2008

 

Korea

 

Winner – Asta Nielson Film Award for Direction – Copenhagen Film Festival.

 

Winner – Best Actor and Special Jury Prize – Amiens Film Festival, France.

 

Runner-up - Best Film and Best Director - Seattle Film Festival, USA.

 

Our Boys

 

Winner of the Silver Boomerang Award for formal experimentation Melbourne Film Festival