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Trisha Ziff's Documentary GERRY ADAMS: A BALLYMURPHY MAN at the 23rd FICM

Alan Rodríguez

Director Trisha Ziff presented her documentary Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man at the 23rd edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM).

The filmmaker thanked festival attendees before the screening began and told them they were about to see a film produced mainly in Mexico about the struggle of the Irish people, which she highlighted as a current example of solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

Trisha Ziff also spoke a few words in memory of the film's producer, Ross McDonnell: “I would like to dedicate tonight's screening to the memory of my producer, whom we tragically lost almost two years ago.”

This documentary is an intimate portrait of the controversial Irish Republican leader Gerry Adams, who led the people of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace. Imprisoned and shot, Adams was demonized as a subversive and a terrorist; however, the British had to recognize his legitimacy. Adams speaks calmly and openly about one of the most documented conflicts of our time.  

Director Trisha Ziff met Gerry Adams in 1981, when she was living in Northern Ireland and had founded the photography and film workshop “Camerawork” in Bogside, Derry, in the midst of the conflict. She has remained in contact with him for more than forty years.

The film intertwines Adams' personal story with images from his personal family album, the work of Irish and internationally renowned photographers, as well as local amateurs. This is the first time that Adams, now 76, has agreed to participate in a feature-length documentary about his life. 

Regarding her first encounter with Gerry Adams and his story, the British director explained: “I moved to Ireland to create a photography workshop for young people so that they could document the war and not have to rely on international journalists. It was during this time that I met Gerry Adams.”

The director pointed out that this weekend the documentary will have its commercial premiere in Ireland: “This is the first time I have had the opportunity to show a documentary commercially.” 

On the film's release in Irish cinemas, The Irish Times said: “Ziff lets Adams tell the story of his political upbringing, marked by violence, loss, and a firm rejection of British rule in the north. But his direction is elegant and unpretentious, backed up by exemplary archival material.”