State of Affairs

Director Risteard Ó Domhnaill has been there to record every step of opposition to the high-pressure gas pipeline petrochemicals giant Shell planned to route through their land and fishing areas, threatening their livelihood and posing very real environmental and safety concerns. By placing the viewer amid baton-waving gardaí as these ordinary folk mount peaceful protests, and inside Pat ‘The Chief’ O’Donnell’s modest fishing boat as it squares up to Shell’s pipe-laying nautical behemoth, the film generates an almost primal emotive reaction witnessing these brave souls fight their corner – while the machinery of the state aligns itself with the oil company. Beautifully composed, and always cognisant of the complexity of the issues, the film is in every way worthy of the heroic struggle it captures. An Irish doc to grace any international stage.