Swiss sales company Lightdox has acquired world sales rights for North Circular, Irish filmmaker Luke McManus’ musical ode to contemporary Dublin which is enjoying its international premiere at Sheffield DocFest. The film received a Special Mention form the doc jury of the Dublin International Film Festival, held in March/April 2022.
The film notes read how, “in this melodic black and white postcard, the audience travels along Dublin’s North Circular Road and meets some of the area’s enigmatic inhabitants. Personal testimonies touching on subjects from colonialism, mental health and addiction to women’s empowerment and gentrification are embodied in folk songs. Atmospherically conveying Ireland’s turbulent past and present, the filmmaker has composed a heartfelt love letter to Dublin.”
The award-winning McManus comments: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Lightdox. Their select slate of highly creative and urgently relevant documentaries makes Anna Berthollet, Bojana Maric and the Lightdox team the ideal people to represent North Circular.”
Producer Elaine Gallagher adds: “It has been wonderful to see the powerful audience reaction to North Circular, first at the Dublin International Film Festival and now at Sheffield DocFest. Now with our global partnership with Lightdox, we are looking forward to bringing inner-city Dublin to the world.”
Lightdox’ Anna Berthollet comments: “Visually and sonically striking, we were absolutely captivated by Luke McManus’ beautiful directorial debut from the first glimpse. North Circular is a film that shines such depth and complexity on bigger subjects like gentrification, community and history through touching personal stories, creating a love letter to this iconic place which has a turbulent history as well as present. We are thrilled to come on board and welcome the film to our lineup where we think it fits perfectly.”
