Martin Scorsese praises Irish storytelling at the virtual IFTAs

By Holly O'Neill
20th Oct 2020

Martin Scorsese praises Irish storytelling at the virtual IFTAs

“There’s something about Ireland and Irish storytelling that is universal that connects with everyone in the world,” said Martin Scorsese

The first virtual IFTA were held on Sunday night on Virgin Media Television, hosted by Deirdre O’Kane, where a number of international guests awarded Irish filmmakers for their extraordinary work.

Director Martin Scorsese presented the awards to Ordinary Love for Best Film 2020 and Black ‘47 for Best Film 2019.

“Little did we know what strange times lay ahead that we are witnessing now, and it appears to me that we are all having to reinvent cinema now, and that’s a good thing, it is,” said Martin Scorsese. “Because now, more than ever, we need the moving image. We need vision, creativity and storytelling that takes us on a journey and opens us, enlightens us, opens our hearts and our minds, and there’s something about Ireland and Irish storytelling that is universal that connects with everyone in the world. John Ford knew that, and I know that”.

Other winners include Andrew Scott, who won Best Actor in a Drama for his role in Black Mirror: Smithereens and made a plea for the Irish Arts. “Hello, Ireland. I miss you an incredible amount. I feel bereft for not having been home for such a long time. This really makes me feel connected. Let’s keep the arts going in whatever way we can and try and support it whenever we feel it’s safe enough to do so. Because the arts are the most wonderful thing about our lives. And I’m so proud to be an Irish artist. So thank you and have a great night, people, wherever you are.”

Liam Neeson also sent a message to the Irish filmmaking industry saying, “I’m thinking of you all back home right now and I know we are going through hard times, cruel times. Many industries have been hurt, especially the film industry, but we will get through it; we must get through it. As a famous politician once said, ‘when you’re going through hell, keep going’. To all our film-makers, young actors and actresses try and stay strong, stay creative. The work will come back again, and tonight we are going to celebrate how cool and how great a film industry we have in Ireland.”