Experiencing Interruptions?

The Breaking

A man struggles to defeat his own demons, discovering the infinite loneliness of addiction.

  • Turlough Ó Cinnéide
    Director
    Born From Fire, The Cathedral, Gaslight
  • Barry Smyth
    Writer
    Mystic Minnie, Jagged Teeth Through Flesh
  • Turlough Ó Cinnéide
    Producer
    The Cathedral, Born From Fire, Gaslight, Mónos
  • Joseph Palmer
    Producer
    The Cathedral, Mystic Minnie, Law of Retribution
  • John Morely
    Key Cast
  • Marta Di Giovanni
    Cinematography (Director of Photography)
    Born From Fire, Gaslight, Tatiana
  • Anna Glynn
    Assistant Director
  • Barry Smyth
    Sound
    Lulu and the Electric Dreamboat, The Cathedral, Routine
  • Jordan Cronin
    Drone Operator
  • Marta Di Giovanni
    Editor
    Tatiana
  • Dolmen Films
    Production Company
    Mystic Minnie, The Cathedral, Gaslight, The Breaking, Born From Fire
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 6, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    250 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Ireland
  • Country of Filming:
    Ireland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    1080, 24fps
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cut International Short Film Festival
    Linwood, NJ
    United States
    October 21, 2022
    US Premiere
    Winner - Best Drama
  • Cut International Short Film Festival
    Linwood, NJ
    United States
    October 21, 2022
    US Premiere
    Winner - Best Film of Festival
  • Couch Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 26, 2022
    Canadian Premiere
    Nominee - Best Actor (John Morley)
  • T.I.F.A. - Tiete International Film Awards
    Sao Paulo
    Brazil
    Winner - Silver Anhuma for Best Cinematography (Marta Di Giovanni)
Director Biography - Turlough Ó Cinnéide


Turlough Ó Cinnéide founded Dolmen Films in 2016. Turlough was born in Clare, Ireland, near a small village by the name of Scariff. At the age of 16 he went to sea working on the Tall Ships. It was there that he first got his taste for filming. Turlough is an award-winning Director, his short documentary, "Born From Fire", winning 5 awards, 5 nominations, and 4 honorable mentions in international film festivals. He is the driving force behind Dolmen Films.

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Director Statement

Within "The Breaking" there are two different but parallel stories. The first is about the strange things that can happen in an Irish bog. From my earliest memories, my parents and grandparents always warned me of the dangers of the bog and how it can swallow up the unwitting. So this film helps capture that feeling and folklore. It also captures the peace of the bog and how everything within it seems to hold it's breath.

The other story is more personal to the character. It shows the demons he battles with, and how addiction can cause you to live in a bubble where you're a part of the world, but never in it. A vicious loop that goes on and on. It is more specifically a potent reminder of the dangers of alcohol, but could also be a metaphor for any type of addiction. Hopefully, this film will strike a cord with everyone who watches it.