Cinema for me is…
Ireland – David Deignan from Europa Cinemas on Vimeo.
David in 23 Frames
1. Describe yourself in ten words.
Irish, 22, Writer, Cinephile, Travel lover, Easy going, Ambitious, Optimistic.
2. Your best quality? Your worst habit?
Best quality: Determination.
Worst habit: Cracking my knuckles.
3. Your dream job?
Something that would let me travel the world while watching films/writing about cinema.
4. What do you like most about your country?
The wit, warmth and weirdness of its wonderful people.
5. Your favorite dish in your country?
Irish stew.
6. Which word or phrase in your native language do you like the most and what does it mean?
‘Draíocht’ – which means ‘magic’.
7. What European capital have you visited lately?
Sofia.
8. Other than your own, which European country would you love to live in?
Sweden. I’ve never been but if its half as nice as its people then, I think I would love it.
9. What does Europe mean to you? 3 values.
Unity. Diversity. Accessibility.
10. What film made you fall in love with cinema?
Seeing Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Birdman (2014, US) in cinema for the first time was a formative experience for me. It really struck a chord with me and immediately convinced me that I wanted to spend the rest of my life working in film.
11. Your favorite film theatre? What do you like about it?
I have two favourites in Dublin – the Light House Cinema and the Irish Film Institute. They both boast a strong programme of art house and classic films as well as some tent pole new releases. Each supports a range of events and festivals throughout the year – including the Dublin International Film Festival – and helps to cultivate a wonderful atmosphere among the thriving local cinemagoing community. Plus they have the comfiest seats, which always helps!
12. Who is your movie hero?
Irish filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice. His life was an inspiration.
13. Which movie director would you like to be?
Taika Waititi.
14. Briefly describe your favorite scene.
I love the Waltz for Peppy scene from 2011’s The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius, 2011, FR). The sequence is funny and touching in equal measure and manages to beautifully convey the slow, subtle process of two people falling in love. Perfectly scored by Ludovic Bource, its made all the more powerful by the way in which it later recurs during the film’s final act.
15. What are the 3 best European films you have seen in the last year?
120 Beats per Minute (Robin Campillo, 2017, FR)
The Breadwinner (Nora Twomey, 2017, IE)
Custody (Xavier Legrand, 2017, FR).
16. Which film character do you most identify with?
Jesse in Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (1995, US).
17. Your favorite soundtrack or song?
I love Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone, 1968, IT). I was lucky enough to see him perform live in concert last year and had goosebumps for the whole night.
18. If you had to live in a movie, which one would you like it to be?
I think I’d book myself a luxurious suite and waste my days away eating Mendl’s infamous courtesan au chocolats in the world of The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson, 2014, US).
19. Your life becomes a bio-pic. Who plays the role of you?
I’ll be very generous to myself and say Cillian Murphy.
20. Which talent would you most like to have?
Oh I can think of so many… a photographic memory would probably be the most useful though!
21. What is your most treasured possession?
My relationships with family and friends.
22. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Up until recently I would have said writing, producing and directing my first short film in Prague two years ago. The production was challenging and a great learning experience for me. I think being selected for 28 Times Cinema has surpassed it though!
23. What is your motto?
I’m better than nobody and nobody is better than me.