Private Project

Monkeys in the Garden

Ciara is finding it increasingly difficult to cope in her capacity as carer for her mother with dementia. The unexpected arrival of her sister Amy, the favourite, forces Ciara to re-evaluate how she deals with her mothers disease by finally trying to accept her mothers version of reality.

  • Marie Clare Cushinan
    Director
  • Marie Clare Cushinan
    Writer
  • Ryan O'Neill
    Producer
  • Marie Clare Cushinan
    Producer
  • Susie Kelly
    Key Cast
  • Sophia Adli
    Key Cast
  • Maeve Smyth
    Key Cast
  • Jennifer Atcheson
    Camera operator
  • Danny Tarr
    Sound recordist
  • Chloe Finlay
    1st Assistant Director
  • Marie Clare Cushinan
    Editing
  • Ryan O'Neill
    Director of photography
  • Jennifer Atcheson
    Director of photography
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 26, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    800 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    Ireland
  • Country of Filming:
    Ireland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    22:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Galway Film Fleadh
    Galway
    Ireland
    July 13, 2017
    World premiere
    Official Selection
  • Richard Harris international film festival
    Limerick
    Ireland
    October 28, 2017
    Official Selection
  • Waterford film festival
    Waterford
    Ireland
    November 5, 2017
    Official Selection
  • Chicago Irish Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    March 3, 2018
    USA Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Belfast film festival
    Belfast
    Ireland
    April 14, 2018
Director Biography - Marie Clare Cushinan

Marie Clare works as a freelance Script Supervisor based in Northern Ireland.
She has worked on features such as A Bad Day For the Cut and Zoo. She trained on HBOs Game of Thrones.
To date she has only produced small, self-funded shorts. Monkeys in the Garden marks her first foray in working with a full cast and crew. She wrote, directed and produced the film with her partner Ryan acting as co-producer and DOP.

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Director Statement

This film consisted of a minimal crew and was made with a budget of no more than £800 including cast and location. I was able to attract talented people to work with on the basis of the script which only strengthened my resolve in making Monkeys in the Garden a reality.