The Assassination of Michael D. Higgins – Galway Film Fleadh

It’s a name that will immediately make you sit up and take notice. This is described as a “dark comedy short film” starring John Doran, who also wrote the script. He knew the name would turn heads.

“The title caught people’s attention,” says Doran. “But once I had their attention, I had to earn it.”

You can see the short at the Galway Film Fleadh on Friday, July 11th at 9:30am at the Town Hall Theatre. Full details of the Fleadh can be found here. 

KILKENNY FILMMAKERS UNLEASH DARK COMEDY ‘THE ASSASSINATION OF MICHAEL D. HIGGINS’ AT GALWAY PREMIERE 

The Assassination of Michael D. Higgins is a dark comedy short film starring John Doran as Frankie (Blue Moon, Sherlock), Natalie Britton as Ms.Tiernan (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Maxine), and acclaimed actor, poet and playwright Seamus O’Rourke, known for his moving video monologues, as a man who believes he is the President of Ireland.

The story follows Frankie, a burnt-out hospital orderly on this last shift, who indulges a long-term patient’s fantasy and treats him as if he truly is the President. What begins as a sincere act of kindness spirals into a reckoning when fantasy crosses a line the system cannot tolerate. As reality begins to blur, power dynamics shift and the institution lashes back. A farewell becomes something far more dangerous.

The film, supported by Screen Ireland’s Actor as Creator programme, sees Doran team up with fellow Kilkenny native Dave Minogue, who wrote the short with John and directed the project.

The film will have its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on Friday July 11th at 9:30am at the Town Hall Theatre.

CAST: JOHN DORAN, SEAMUS O’ROURKE, NATALIE BRITTON DIRECTOR: DAVE MINOGUE WRITERS: JOHN DORAN AND DAVE MINOGUE PRODUCER: NATALIE BRITTON EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: JULIE RYAN, SHIMMY MARCUS, GRAINNE BENNETT