A documentary film, The Forest Midwife, which follows writer and social entrepreneur Catherine Cleary and her work over the last year to transform a piece of land in Roscommon into a forest and nature reserve, is to have its local premiere next Monday 21st October.
The farm, in Corry, near Hillstreet, was bought by Catherine and her family and she has now planted a native woodland of more than 27,000 trees on the land. Produced and directed by photographer and filmmaker Beta Bajgart, the film includes a specially commissioned piece of writing by award-winning poet and author Kerri Ni Dochartaigh.It also features the voice of renowned Irish actor Mary McEvoy, who played the character Biddy on the now iconic Irish television drama, Glenroe.
Funded under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Forestry Promotion Fund and Roscommon County Council’s Arts office, one of aims of the film is to highlight the role of the arts in engaging on climate and biodiversity.
Speaking ahead of the launch, filmmaker Beta Bajgart said: “The story of the documentary centres on Catherine’s work on the farm in Roscommon, but it’s more than a documentary promoting planting trees. Ultimately, it is a story about a woman who listens to her midlife calling, and about a relationship between humans and trees. It touches on a sensitive topic of farming and land ownership in Ireland and honours the hardship of working the land.”
Actor Mary McEvoy, who grew up in a farming family in Co Westmeath, said: “I don’t usually do voiceovers for documentaries, but this one was particularly close to my heart because I feel very much for trees and for the environment. It was aligned with my values, I found it extremely welcome, and it was an honour to work on this.”
“I thought the script was absolutely beautiful, it’s so poetic and very moving. And I felt it really expressed well the relationship between trees and man. I think we have to start thinking about art for humanity’s sake which automatically includes the environment, rather than art for art’s sake. From what I know about living in farming and rural areas, I think more effort has to be made not to go over peoples’ heads.”
Award winning author Kerry Ní Dochartaigh, who spent lockdown living in rural North Westmeath said: “This was an absolute dream commission, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I have been writing about trees, their voices, and hearts, and souls for some time, but to be working with Beta and the team exploring these ideas through the tree herself was very special indeed.”
The Forest Midwife is being shown at the Roscommon Arts Centre on Monday 21st October at 8pm, fee €5, and can be booked via https://roscommonartscentre.ie/event/midwife/
