Private Project

Young Plato

Young Plato is a positive, life-affirming film that charts the dream of a maverick, Elvis-loving school headmaster, Kevin McArevey, who is determined to change the fortunes of an inner-city community plagued by urban decay, sectarian aggression, poverty and drugs. The all-boys primary school, in post-conflict Belfast’s Ardoyne area, becomes a hot-house for questioning violence, as the headmaster sends his young wards home each day armed with the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosophers and skills in critical thinking. The boys challenge their parents and neighbours to forsake the prejudice that has kept this conflict on the boil for decades. The film is about the confidence of youth, and is a tribute to the power of the possible.

  • Neasa Ní Chianáin
    Director
    In Loco Parentis (2016), aka School Life (2017), The Stranger (2014), Fairytale of Kathmandu (2007), Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie (2004)
  • Declan McGrath
    Director
  • David Rane
    Producer
    In Loco Parentis (2016), aka School Life (2017), The Stranger (2014), Fairytale of Kathmandu (2007), Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie (2004)
  • Philippe Ravoet
    Editor
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0712527/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
  • Reto Stamm
    Sound Design
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1192973/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
  • Hanne Phlypo
    Coproducers
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3467345/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
  • Jackie Doyle
    Coproducers
  • Céline Nusse
    Coproducers
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2104999/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
  • Declan McGrath
    Coproducers
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12588459/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Social issues, youth, Education, conflict, trauma
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 42 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Ireland
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Doc NYC
    New York
    United States
    November 14, 2021
    World Premiere
    Competition
  • Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
    Thessaloniki
    Greece
    March 15, 2022
    European Premiere
    Special Jury Award
  • Dublin International Film Festival
    Dublin
    Ireland
    February 26, 2022
    Irish
    Best Human Rights Documentary (ICCL)
  • CPH DOX
    Copenhagen
    Denmark
    March 26, 2022
    Danish Premiere
    Best of Fests
  • Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA)
    Dublin
    Ireland
    March 12, 2022
    None
    Best Feature Documentary (George Morrison Award)
  • One World Doc Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    April 2, 2022
    Czech Premiere
    Best Film Regional Jury
Distribution Information
  • Autlook Films Sales
    Sales Agent
    Country: Austria
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Neasa Ní Chianáin, Declan McGrath

Neasa Ní Chianáín, director, is one of Ireland's most established documentary talents. Neasa trained at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin, and worked as a freelance Art Director on Irish feature film and television projects, before switching to docs in 2001. She has directed 9 single docs (4 feature length) and one tv series.
The docs include ‘Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie’, which won Best Feature Doc at The Celtic Film Festival 2004, and was sold around the world, including ZDF, ARTE and YLE. ‘Fairytale of Kathmandu’ world premiered at IDFA 2007, in the Silver Wolf Competition. It was then invited to over 30 more international Festivals including Seattle (North American Premiere) and Edinburgh (UK premiere).
'Fairytale' won 3 Best Documentary/Director awards and screened on YLE and Canvas. 'The Stranger', funded by MEDIA, RTÉ and The Irish Film Board, had it's world premiere at the 67th Locarno Film Festival. Her last film, 'In Loco Parentis' (aka 'School Life'), has been a world-wide success, premiering in competition at both IDFA 2016 and Sundance 2017. 'School Life' won the Special Jury Prize in the Golden Gate Awards at the San Francisco Film Film, and an Audience Award (Prix du Public) at visions du Reel in Nyon. Neasa
was also chosen to take part in the Sydney Film Festival's 'Europe! Voices of Women in Film', which selected 10 of Europe's most promising women directors. Neasa is currently in post-production on a new feature documentary, 'The Alexander Complex', funded by Screen Ireland, Blue Ice and Irish Sec 481 tax credit, and has just completed production on 'Young Plato', a feature documentary funded by Screen Ireland, BBC, ARTE, Eurimages, Northern Ireland Screen and many other funds.

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