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Happy third anniversary to the pod and I'm so happy to be spending it with Irish filmmaker -- and award-winning ad maker -- Gar O'Rourke.
When people ask about the podcast, the usual first question is, what are your favorite episodes? And I respond with, well, they are all my favorites.
It's true. I wouldn't publish something if I wasn't proud of it, and mainly because of audio or other host-related failures, there's been a handful you'll never get to hear.
But it's also a bit of a dodge because I know what they are asking and of course I have favorite episodes. I can tell it as soon as we stop recording, and I'm guessing you can tell it, too. The anniversary episode always gets one of those.
Gar's latest film, THE SIEGE OF PARADISE (2026) had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, and knowingly reaches for a higher form of filmmaking. A lesser director would have taken the subject of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera and made it into something mocking influencers and tourists in favor of the aphoristic locals.
Gar is one of the best directors in independent film, so we don't have that problem here. What he gives you is a measured, gorgeously shot take on what it means to live in a place like Cinque Terre, either as a tourist or a local; it's a deeply moving film.
It's screening in Galway soon for its Irish debut -- check it out if you can there -- or just look for Gar at a festival near you. Whether it's him or another Irish filmmaker, I promise it's the best way to spend your time.
In this episode, Gar and I talk about:
- do Irish people want to hang around other Irish people at film festivals?!;
- his start in filmmaking;
- how his brand work (after we recorded this, his ad won a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions 2026) influences his filmmaking;
- THE SIEGE OF PARADISE;
- if he knew going in he would take such a balanced approach to the relationship between tourism and locals;
- if he screened the film for its subjects;
- what a documentary filmmaker owes his subjects;
- the absolute stunning shots in this film and where they came from (no drone footage!);
- what does Screen Ireland do right that other countries could follow (other than more funding);
- how he knows it's going to be a good festival experience -- or not;
- what's next for him.
Memorable Quotes:
" Irish people are the best people to hang out with at film festivals, or most dangerous people to hang out with at film festivals."
"THE SIEGE OF PARADISE is like a holiday fever dream."
" My life is probably the worst example to follow if you want to be a filmmaker."
" I always had this helicopter intro that I wanted to do with the mayor."
" In Ireland, it begins with the attitude around film. It begins with the attitude around this is something valuable."
" Success in a European mind is...prestige or it's getting a great festival life. It doesn't need to have as much commercial and profit incentive."
Links:
Follow Gar On Instagram
Watch THE PUB THAT REFUSED TO DIE
Second Anniversary Pod: Nathaniel Lezra
