ÉCU FILM FESTIVAL, 2025
Trevor Murphy
in my beginning is my end
Festival Screening
7 Parnassiens – Grande Salle
10, May 2025
Session 4 - 18:49
April, 23, 2025
An undertaker's secret admiration for the deceased is interrupted by a family quarrel that erupts in the final few minutes at an Irish wake.
Hi Trevor, thank you for talking with The New Current. Are you looking forward to screening In My Beginning Is My End at ÉCU this May?
I’m very looking forward to the screening, watching others films and meeting other filmmakers!
What does it mean to you to have In My Beginning Is My End nominated in the European Dramatic Short Category?
This film and how I wanted to make it came from my gut, heart and imagination. I knew it was a risk to film in one shot. And I feel honoured that my film was received and accepted by ÈCU in Paris, the city where cinema was invented!
You’ve already had a great festival run so far, what has it meant to you to see you film get such a positive reaction so far?
Showing my film at festivals in actual cinemas with an audience is the best feeling. From sitting alone writing years ago to an audience in a cinema is a dream come true!
How important are festivals like ÉCU in champion and supporting independent films and filmmakers?
In this online world where it’s easy to stay at home and watch mainstream films, it’s very important to show new independent films in cinemas. It’s so important to have a community like ÉCU where passionate independent filmmakers share their stories and ideas.
Can you tell me a little bit about how In My Beginning Is My End came about, what was the inspiration behind your screenplay?
Being an alter boy growing up in Ireland, I found the Catholic rituals from baptism to death fascinating. Catholic wakes freaked me out a lot. But when I read an interview with one of my favourite filmmakers, Michael Haneke, he said he made films about what really terrifies him! So I thought I have to write and make a film about my fears!
Once you start shooting how close do you like to stick to your screenplay, do you give yourself and your cast some flexibility with the material?
I love giving the actors freedom to improvise and ad-lib. For the first few takes - the actors delivered the lines from the script, but after take 3 - I asked them if they feel free to improvise. Some of their lines were way better than my written lines.
When working on a short like this how essential is the creative collaboration between you and your team?
Communication and collaboration is essential, especially for the crew and actors to understand what atmosphere I’m trying to create.
You have an brilliant cast, what was the experience like working with Deirdre Forrest, Maureen Casey, and Suzie Houlihan?
Deirdre, Maureen and Suzie were such a delight to work with. In fact the entire ensemble of 21 actors were a joy! I also asked members of my family to improvise for the crowd scene. They did a great job, adding to the overall atmosphere and sound mix. I hope to work with all the actors again. I’m writing a feature script which I’d love for them to be part of. Their improvised lines created some wonderful moments.
Does your background as an actor allow you a close working relationship with your actors?
I think being an actor really helped my relationship with working and directing actors. Sometimes too much directing an actor could be detrimental. They key is to let the actors discover moments themselves and follow their instincts.
What was the hardest scene for you to write and direct?
The most challenging was the long 12 minute take, but it was also so exhilarating, as it was like a small stage play. Coming from a theatre background, I love long takes in films without cutting.
Looking back now is there anything you would have done differently on n My Beginning Is My End?
I loved the actor’s performances, the only thing different would be technical notes to the actors, like eye lines. But that’s me getting very pedantic and meticulous.
Have you always had a passion for filmmaking?
My passion from filmmaking came from passion for theatre first. My mother was in an amateur theatre group and I loved watching plays when I was a kid.
With your debut short now enjoying its life on the festival circuit, what has been the most valuable lessons you took from this experience?
Sharing stories and our experiences with other filmmakers. Knowing that my film can relate to all cultures, identities and ages.
"I love when great writers or philosophers delve into this uncomfortable subject."
What does In My Beginning Is My End say about you and the way you see the world?
In this world, many people are socially conditioned to just do what is expected, and they don’t think or contemplate about death or the true meaning of departure. I love when great writers or philosophers delve into this uncomfortable subject. But also life in general is absurd (thinking of a Camus quote) and so I always think it’s important to have a sense of humour about life and death.
What has been the best advice you’ve been given by a fellow filmmaker?
Tell YOUR story. If you can’t get the budget initially for the film - write the play or short story version. Or make the film on your phone with your siblings and friends. The point is to never give up on sharing your story.
And finally, what is the message you would like your audiences to take from In My Beginning Is My End?
The subject of my film can be heavy and uncomfortable (death of a mother). But I also think of one of my favourite quotes by Albert Camus: “I do not want to die, I do not want anyone I love to die. I am going to die. And everyone I love is going to die. And that makes life absurd.”