The Land of The Young

The Land of The Young is a personal and reflective film exploring or sense of home and of belonging. We follow Irish filmmaker Steve Ryan on a unique and personal journey back to Ireland from New York, as he looks to discover more about his identity and the country he is from, and why nostlagia for the past is all around us.

  • Steve Ryan
    Director
  • Steve Ryan
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - London College of Communication
Director Biography - Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan is an Irish documentary filmmaker based in New York City. He is interested in telling stories that explore the unseen aspects of our world.

He studied philosophy in Northern Ireland and Belgium, before training in theatre, dance and circus in England and France.
His interest in filmmaking grew out of his love of film and his experiences as a performer – travelling the world telling stories and sharing emotions with the audience.

His films combine storytelling with a sense of justice, humour and beauty – allowing the viewer access to hidden, unseen worlds and perspectives.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film started out from me trying to understand what it means to be Irish in the early 21st century and how I can know myself. Ireland has changed a lot since I was a kid and, then again, so have I.

I left home when I was 18 and I always had the idea that I would travel and see the world - it just seemed like the obvious thing xto do. I was always struck by how foundational the myths we are taught as children are to our sense of identity and purpose, and I felt like the story of Oisin and St. Patrick must resonate with many Irish people at home and around the world. I wanted to see if this myth would still stand up in 2024, so I decided to play the role of the returning warrior - ready to meet his St. Patrick.

The film is really about how we are shaped by the place we are from and how, if we are to return, these places can change from how we remember them