Ballymun Lullaby

Saw this at the 2011 Galway Film Fleadh and was bowled over (as were the rest of the audience). A universal tale that shows how music can move the soul, Frank Berry's documentary follows music teacher, Ron Cooney as he works with kids from one of Dublin's most maligned suburbs, Ballymun. Catching them – crucially – at an early age, he fosters in them a love of music, and with it a transcendence and a way of expressing themselves. This is achieved to pretty breathtaking effect as, working with composer Darragh O'Toole, the children's own words are put to music. And the music is pretty special - I'd challenge anyone not to be moved when the harmonies start to soar. My lips were quivering - thankfully it was dark. Above all you're impressed by Ron, one maverick of a man fighting countless little wars, and more importantly, by some truly impressive kids - notably Darren, who's a poet and doesn't know it (sorry). I'd put it up there with 'His and Hers', which is high praise. See it wherever you can.