A provocative drama on the defective block crisis in Donegal has been officially selected for its UK premiere at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival.
GALAR, filmed in Donegal last year, tells a personal story behind the headlines of the housing crisis in the north west.
Produced by Keltik Elk and written and directed by Inishowen man Niall Duffy, the film will premiere at the BAFTA qualifying festival at the Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, Wales on Monday the 19th of May.
Starring Mark Loughran, Claire Rafferty, Ashana Cummings and Nigel O’Neill, the 25-minute film follows Michael Gallagher, a rural homeowner whose life is upended by the discovery of defective building blocks in his house. As Michael grapples with the physical decay of his home and the battles with government bureaucracy, he also faces a personal health crisis.
More than 200 extras took part in a protest scene filmed in Lifford, many of whom were personally affected by the DCB crisis.
On set of GALAR in 2024
GALAR – Keltik Elk
Niall explains his approach to the film: “With GALAR, I wanted to highlight the personal stories behind the headlines. The defective block crisis is something many families face every day, filled with frustration, fear, and uncertainty. By seeing things through our character’s perspective, we get a sense of the emotional weight they carry, as well as the small wins that come from staying determined. The film doesn’t promise easy answers, because life rarely does. My hope is that it sparks conversations, prompts action, and the change these homeowners deserve. I also hope it reminds us of the strength that comes from supporting each other through tough times.”
GALAR by Niall Duffy Keltik Elk
Niall and his team met with homeowners and heard their stories firsthand in damaged homes to gain a sense of perspective on the project.
“We came across a home marked for demolition that illustrated the scale of the destruction, and with the former resident’s permission, we used it to help tell the story. From there, things came together, casting, auditions, and an outpouring of support from the local community,” he said.
The protest scene in Lifford was inspired by the 2021 march in Dublin, when many from Donegal descended on the capital to call for accountability.
Niall said the homeowners who travelled to become extras in the film brought a real sense of urgency and reality to the production.
He said: “At times, it didn’t feel like we were just making a film, it felt like we were part of something bigger that mattered to people in a very real way.”
Growing up on the rural north-west coast, Niall developed a keen interest in film from an early age. His debut short film, The Rock in the Sea, has received over 30 international awards to date, including the Northern Exposure Award at the Disappear Here Film Festival in Ballyliffin.
