A father-daughter film-making team from Culdaff are to unveil their latest work in Galway’s Palas1 cinema this Thursday.
This is the fourth feature-documentary that Paul and and Kate McCarroll have co-directed.
Their previous films include The Last of the Name, Outcasts by Choice, and The Healing Herb.
Their new film ‘Rage Against the Dying of the Light’ is a 67-minute documentary about avant-garde punk composer Meryl Streek.
The movie follows Meryl on tour: we hear his music, his life-story and world-view; we meet his fans and his collaborators.
It’s a story that’s raw, honest, and visceral.
Meryl emerges from the film as a kind and courageous young man who has overcome massive obstacles, without losing his courage, his capacity for empathy and his dark sense of humour.
According to Paul, “this is a film about Punk Rock, Kindness and Resistance.
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“There’s anger in it, but there’s also a lot of empathy. Meryl is a very important and talented protest-singer, in the great tradition of Sinead O Connor, Christy Moore and Joe Strummer.
“It’s been a real challenge, and a privilege for Kate and me to tell his story. And we’re delighted and honoured to premiere this film in Galway – it’s our favourite festival and city.”
“I think it’s important to make films about things you really believe in”, Paul added.
“The world is a mess right now, and we need more voices like Meryl’s.
“The media and the public should pay more attention to the activists and the punks. I believe Meryl and his tribe could inspire young people around the planet, not just in Ireland.”
The Galway premiere details are at www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
The film will be screened widely early 2027 – and the final cut will include contributions from John Robb, Deb Grant, Pete Holidai, Oliver Ackerman and many others.
For release details, check out merylstreek.com.
Meryl Streek’s first release, 796, was described by Louder magazine as ‘the angriest album of 2022’ while Hot Press rated his most recent (October 2024) release as an ‘album of the year contender’.
His next LP, ‘Stories They Don’t Teach You At School’, will be released on October 9th – it can be pre-ordered now at merylstreek.com.