RTÉ Press Centre

An intimate portrait of Oscar-winning film producer David Puttnam as he reflects on events in his life which shaped his journey to becoming an Irish citizen and making Skibbereen, West Cork his home.

In the film, David explores the significance of growing up in the aftermath of the Blitz, the influence of his father, and the recurring theme of male friendship in his films. He also shares the impact of these life experiences on his present projects and how, now in his eighties, he and his wife Patsy have found their forever home. 

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In 1982 David won an Oscar for best film for Chariots of Fire – from here he carved out a distinctive role as an educationalist, environmentalist and political activist.

In this revealing profile, David Puttnam traces aspects of his life which lead him and his wife Patsy to becoming Irish citizens and making their home in West Cork. He explores his improbable journey from a North London School dropout to a successful film producer. He also reveals significant events which shaped his thinking – the impact of his early life in London and his immersion in an environment dominated by fear during the Blitz years, the role his parents played, how he fell in love with Patsy his wife of over 60 years, the importance of his friendship with Alan Parker, and his stint in Hollywood as CEO of Columbia Pictures. Throughout the film he demonstrates how his life is reflected in his work and how each element of his journey supported the next, eventually leading him and Patsy to Ireland.

The documentary is directed by Edel O’Mahony.  It was produced by Clíona Ní Bhuachalla who has made documentaries on John Banville, Edna O’Brien, Sebastian Barry and Colum McCann, as well as their multi-award-winning Seamus Heaney film, Out of the Marvellous. Line Producer was EmmaJane Dunne.

“I met David Puttnam on the Puttnam Scholarship programme and I was immediately captivated by him – We were delighted that he agreed to collaborate with us on this film which reflects the threads that connect his life and how he became an Irish man’  – Clíona Ní Bhuachalla