‘Power Ballad’ director on fame, fatherhood, and how streaming has changed filmmaking
Film Director John Carney at home in May 2026. Photo: Steve Humphreys
John Carney’s phone is ringing. We’re in an elegant meeting room at the Westbury Hotel, just around the corner from the chatty afternoon tea drinkers, and Carney – one of the most celebrated filmmakers in Ireland – has forgotten to switch his device to silent mode. These things happen.
“I’ll turn that off,” Carney says, removing the offending item from the table between us. “Oh, actually, it’s my kid.”