Roma: A film about chips & wonder
An Italian chipper in a small Irish town becomes the setting for untold stories, celebrating the everyday moments that shape our shared history.
**English & Italian Subtitles**
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Set in the heart of rural Ireland, this short documentary explores the deep-rooted connection between a humble chip shop and the local community it has served for over five decades. Established by an Italian immigrant who moved to Ireland aged just 16, the "chipper" has become a constant in the lives of the townspeople, offering much more than just food. Through a series of interviews with patrons, the film uncovers stories of childhood memories, first dates, family traditions, and even relationships that span generations—all tied to the chipper's enduring presence. At the centre of it all is the same chip machine that has been in use since the day the shop opened, acting as a symbol of continuity and unity in the town.
Beneath the surface, the film reveals a more subtle story: while the patrons view the chipper with fondness and nostalgia, the family running the shop remains in the background, quietly working behind the scenes. They are the unsung heroes, sacrificing their own sense of existence to facilitate the memories and connections of the community. Through surreal and symbolic visuals, the documentary contrasts the simplicity of the chip shop with its profound impact on the town, leaving viewers to reflect on how something as mundane as a plate of chips can quietly shape the lives of many.
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Conor EnglishDirector
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Will RussellWriter
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Ethan ScallyProducer
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Isaac BurkeDOP
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Conor EnglishResearchers
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Ethan ScallyResearchers
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Will RussellResearchers
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Graham DowlingSound
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Calvin DoyleEditors
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Conor EnglishEditors
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Marty MulliganNarrators
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Project Type:Documentary
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Genres:social realism, poetic, ethnographic, surrealism, human interest
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Runtime:12 minutes 29 seconds
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Completion Date:June 15, 2024
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Production Budget:10,000 EUR
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Country of Origin:Ireland
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Country of Filming:Ireland
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, Full Frame, Sony
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Aspect Ratio:4:3
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Strandhill Film and Folk FestivalSligo
Ireland
August 30, 2025
Irish
Official Selection
Jack of all trades Filmmaker. Born Paisley, Scotland. Raised Mullingar, Ireland. Currently working from his home studio outside Mullingar.
In 2023, he completed 'Millie's Maxol Magic' (50 min) about the life lessons of a local legend who has worked in a filling station all his life in the Midlands of Ireland. Premiered locally over 3 sold out nights including the Omniplex Cinema Mullingar and officially selected in Offline Film Festival 2023 as part of 'Made in the Midlands' category.
In 2023 he was awarded the Westmeath Arts Office 'Westmeath Filmmakers Award' of €10,000 to produce his short 'Roma: A film about chips & wonder'. (12 min) featuring the beloved Roma Cafe and its mighty 54 year old chip machine.
In 2024 he completed his debut feature documentary film 'Shadow Town', (98 min) a blend of surreal documentary, experiential cinema and musical performance - about when the behemoth National Irish music & culture festival (Fleadh Cheoil) comes to a small midlands town.
His work is centred around people and landscape. It explores the relationship between both and the often overlooked, everyday scenes and people in them.
Conor is most interested in the ordinary, the familiar and the humour that often goes with it.
His work is often drawn to stories about the simplicities of life, understanding and relatability, and how these stories come from the most unlikely everyday characters and spaces.
The work relies on feeling and sense, and doesn’t follow conventional narrative story-telling practices but allows the viewer space to dream and imagine. Each project is approached through interest, compassion and an attempt to understand the importance of another's stories, ideas, thoughts, routines and actions.