The Dig

Ronan Callahan (Moe Dunford) returns home after serving 15 years for the murder of his girlfriend. He finds her father Sean McKenna (Lorcan Cranitch) digging up his land looking for her missing body. Her sister Roberta McKenna (Emily Taaffe) struggles to get her father home. Ronan has no memory of that night due to his drinking. He cannot get rid of her father and decides to join his dig. Murphy (Francis Magee) is the family friend policeman who continues to harass Ronan.

This is quite a story concept. For a long time, I wasn't sure about the Roberta character or even the need for her. For most of this movie, I find her a distraction until the last part where it all makes sense. This Northern Ireland indie has some great actors. Despite only recognizing Magee, the actors are doing great work.

The Dig: This film deserves to be seen as Folk Horror due to how a Fairy Tree in a circle of stones influence the progression of its narrative. Ronan (Moe Dunford) returns to a dilapidated farmhouse which is adjacent to bogland. A man is digging on the bog, sections staked out with flags. Seán (Lorcan Cranitch) is searching for his lost daughter, Ronan recently released from prison was convicted of her murder. At first the two clash violently but Ronan joins in the dig as he has no memory of the night of the murder due to being drunk. Seán's daughter Roberta (Emily Taafe) also reluctantly accepts Ronan's presence, they had once been friends and perhaps more. But the relationship between the three is an ongoing rollercoaster of emotions. There is also violence from locals and the local police chief Murphy (Francis Magee).



This film seems to be set in the border counties of Ireland, yet it is a not-Ireland, neither North or South. Murphy, heavily bearded, always in rough plain clothes, a pistol at his hip, is more like a Sheriff. Maintaining the law with his boots, fists and a gun when necessary. A Beckettian Bog Western where the participants wallow in the mud searching for something which might not even be there. Seán makes a drink with berries picked from the Fairy Tree in the belief that it will restore his memory. Ronan accepts the elixir, sharing Seán's faith in the old ways. The Fairy Trr and the surrounding land is very much hallowed ground in this peasant society. Dark secrets in many senses are uncovered as the film progresses.

Directors: Andy and Ryan Tohill, working from a screenplay by Stuart Drennan have delivered a dark gem, The Field for the 21st Century. 8.5/10.

I was enjoying this movie immensely, it's gritty and powerful which kept me watching with interest.

Sadly it's all let down by the ridiculous ending. I don't know why there is the need to shock viewers with something so out of the box and far-fetched. For a film which is extremely real it doesn't even make sense, anyone with any detection skills will be left scratching their heads.

I enjoyed this film so much. The acting was great, the cinematography was appropriately rough and off-kilter which matched the way this film grapples with perspective and memory. I really felt the story and it haunted me after viewing it. I had deep discussions about this film, because it tackles elements of emotional trauma, justice, mystery, family, and community. There is so much meat on this bone, so much to "dig" into. I highly recommend this film for the indie film lovers who want to see something special that reverberates in the mind for a while.

Saw this at TIFF where it received positive reviews. I will definitely seek this film out on DVD or digital release. 8/10 (not 10 only because at times the dialogue was unintelligible, but that might have been due to my American ears)

I enjoyed this but it wasn't hugely entertaining for someone outside of the Art House circle. The acting was quite good. The shots were lovely and bleak which worked well for the film's story which is bleak. The plot has some issues but that is only if you think about it too much, as with so many films. Overall, it is worth a watch.