..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

February 5, 2004

A Look At Jim Sheridan
From The Program Guide For The 2004 Bermuda International Film Festival

Jim Sheridan told a story one day about his da. "We weren't able to talk to each other at home, so we talked to each other on the stage." He's been communicating with movie audiences at the deepest levels for about 15 years now.

He is pugnacious, passionate, wild-eyed, funny, dangerous, loving, and endlessly entertaining. When he tells a story, he takes hold of everyone who is listening, slowly reeling his audience in as he pushes the boulder up the hill. And when he pushes that story over the top, everyone is in for a great ride, speeding to its conclusion and an immediate demand for another one… another one.

Sheridan dove into the Irish theater scene in Dublin, directing and acting while honing his skills as a writer. Leadership came easily to him even in his 20s, as he organized tours through Ireland and the U.S. He finally came to America for a long stay in 1982, with his wife Fran, and his young daughters Naomi and Kirsten in tow. They settled into Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, a place that no longer exists, its memory memorialized by the production company name that Sheridan uses to this day. The memories of that journey provide much of the story of "In America," BIFF's opening night film.

Just a few short years later, Sheridan took on the true-life story of Christy Brown, a victim of cerebral palsy who refused to ever be a victim. "My Left Foot" also marked Jim's first collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis. After Day-Lewis took home the Oscar for his work on the film (Jim had to settle for a pair of nominations), the duo would make "In The Name of the Father" and "The Boxer" together, leading to three more Oscar nominations for Jim and another one for Daniel. (Sheridan's five films have taken a total of 15 nominations, including 5 for him.)

Jim then took on "The Field," bringing Richard Harris back to prominence after two decades lost in the wilderness of filmic mediocrity. After "The Field," Harris took on the well-deserved air of a movie legend, appearing memorably in "Unforgiven," "Cry, The Beloved Country," "Gladiator," "My Kingdom" and in the first two Harry Potter films. Sheridan wrote the screenplay for "Into The West," a film that received lavish praise and minimal distribution. He co-wrote and produced the directing debut of his "In The Name Of The Father" co-writer Terry George. And he's acted as a producer on four films other than his own in the last few years, including the universally acclaimed "Bloody Sunday."

That's Jim Sheridan. It's never just about him. He is a filmmaker, so he has to have a certain swagger, a certain arrogance. But he always seems to be looking for ways to embrace and explore the work of others.

He tells the story of directing young Emma and Sarah Bolger in his crowning achievement to date, "In America."

"On the first day of shooting I nervously said "Action" on the first take. Something went wrong, and I let out an expletive and said, "Cut!" Sarah Bolger came over to me and said, "Jim, can I have a word?" She then took three steps away from the crew who all pretended not to be watching and she said, "It's okay to curse in front of me, I'm ten, but my sister is only six and it's rude to curse in front of her, so I'm going to have to ask you to stop."

I looked at her and said that might be impossible so I asked her to take over and say "Action" in the future, and I said to Emma if she didn't like what was going on she could say "Cut" at any time."

He gave those kids what they needed. With In America, he brought Paddy Considine to the world stage. He gave Samantha Morton the room to work her unique magic. He gave Djimon Hounsou his first truly complete movie role. And he let Emma & Sarah be Emma & Sarah, even if they were being called Ariel & Christy.

The real Arial and Christy are, of course, Jim's daughters, Kirsten and Naomi, who co-wrote the screenplay for "In America" with their da and share an Oscar nomination with him. BIFF attendees will remember Kirsten's devastating "Disco Pigs," which played at the festival a few years ago. The tale of their collaboration is one of real give and take, as memory and drama slowly came into a workable balance.

Many moments flash through my head when thinking of Jim during this year's awards season. But the moment that sticks with me was just a flash on TV as some clip package at the Golden Globes showed Jim, Naomi and Kirsten on the red carpet, his arms around his proudest achievements and a quick kiss on Kirsten's forehead. It was sentimental and gentle and more true than any of the awards hysteria then happening around The Sheridan Family.

"I'm in love with you.
And I'm in love with your beautiful woman.
And I'm in love with your kids.
And I'm even in love without unborn child.
I'm even in love with your anger!
I'm in love with anything that lives!"

Jim Sheridan's skills as a writer and director and producer are undeniable. But his heart is what makes him one of the world's best filmmakers.

- David Poland