Private Project

If Only I knew

"IF ONLY I KNEW", (a re-recording from the acclaimed album "22 STRINGS"), tells the story of a young man who had a dream of what his life would become, but he couldn't comprehend it and his mother suggested he talk to his grandfather. His wise grandfather listened to the young Seckou and comforted him but not without warning:

"Nothing is forever Seckou and one day we will all die just as every tree and creature will die. Always value those dear to you. Always be humble because no matter how much you think you know or how much you think you have, there will always be someone who knows more or has more than you."

  • Norah Mc Gettigan
    Director
    The Beholder by Chelima (music video), Sanctuary, feature, What it's like to be my Mother, short film, A song for Rebecca, short film
  • Norah Mc Gettigan
    Writer
  • Seckou Keita, Norah Mc Gettigan
    Producer
  • Seckou Keita and Mamadou Lamine Maiga
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 27, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Senegal
  • Country of Filming:
    Senegal
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Norah Mc Gettigan

Born in the North-West of Ireland, Norah Mc Gettigan is a film writer and director. She has a BA in theatre studies from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, an MA in film directing from the Polish National Film School in Lodz and is presently working on her PHD at the Polish National Film School where she is also teaching.

Her award-winning films The Water Fight and A Song For Rebecca were both officially selected for the Cinefondation competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Her following film "What it’s like to be my Mother" produced by the Wajda Studio, also enjoyed widespread success having won awards across Europe.

In 2012 Norah completed her debut feature Sanctuary. (IFB funded). This film won numerous awards including a nomination for Best Film at The British Independent Film Awards 2013 and a nomination for Best Actress, (Anne-Marie Duff), at the Irish Film and Television Awards 2013.

Since 2015, Norah has been focussing very much on the musical side of her person and life. She produced an album with CBB Ensemble and travels annually to West Africa to gain a better understanding of the music and culture which has become such a integral part of who she is and how she lives today. Music has always played an important role in Norah's creative process and the music video medium is something that she is excited to further explore.

WORK
2017/18 - The Beholder by Chelima, music video. (writer/director/editor)
2013/14 – Behind A Smile – documentary shot in Ethiopia for Operation Smile Ireland. (director)

2010/12 – Sanctuary – debut feature film with Venom Films & Wajda Studio. (writer/director) IFB funded. Co-writer: Gabriel Vargas

2010/11 – Dust Dance – feature film screenplay in development. Set in West Africa.

2008 – The Boys at St Columb’s – Documentary/West Park – (production assistant)

2007 – When Night Becomes Day – IFB screenplay grant for feature film

2007 – What it’s like to be My Mother – Short fiction
(Jak to jest byc moja matka – original title) (writer/director)
The Wajda Studio/KIC Productions LTD.

2006 – Who Never Lived (Satchwell Warszawa, Poland) – Feature Film. (First Assistant Director)

2005 – A Song For Rebecca (Ireland/Poland) – Medium length fiction.
The Polish National Film School/KIC Prods Ltd. (writer/director)

2003 – The Water Fight (Ireland/Poland) – Short fiction
The Polish National Film School, Lodz. (writer/director)

2003 – Touch Me (“Dotknij Mnie” – Poland) – Feature Film (actor)

2003 – The End of the Road (Documentary, The Traveling Community) (writer/director)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I have long been an admirer of Seckou Keita's music and so when he approached me and asked me to make this music video for him, my imagination led me to the sandy suburbs of Ziguinchor, (Seckou's native hometown). Seckou explained the significance of this song and just how important it was to him and so naturally I felt it was my job to convey to his audience the deeper meaning and emotions connected to his having to leave his home, family and friends all those years ago.