BLUE ROAD: THE EDNA O’BRIEN STORY
DOCUMENTARY | ENGLISH | 98 Min
In 1960, a young Irish woman named Edna O’Brien wrote a sexually frank debut novel, The Country Girls. She became a literary sensation, writing for The New Yorker, delivering provocative interviews, and authoring screenplays.
Her success enraged her writer husband and made her a pariah in her native Ireland, where her books were banned and burned. She would make her home in London, where she conducted numerous love affairs, hosted star-studded parties, and made and lost a fortune.
In July 2024, Edna passed away and this film provides a final testimony from her, aged 93, as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea’s camera.
Granting the director access to her personal journals — read aloud in the film by the Oscar nominated Irish actress Jessie Buckley — and with additional perspectives offered from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley and an array of renowned writers, Edna does not shy from any subject.
Blue Road is as candid, dark, and enchanting as O’Brien’s wonderful novels.
DIRECTOR Sinéad O’Shea
NARRATOR Jessie Buckley
PRODUCERS Claire McCabe, Sinéad O’Shea
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Barbara Broccoli, Katie Holly
COUNTRIES OF PRODUCTION Ireland, UK
SCREENINGS + EVENTS
FROM APRIL 18
Peckhamplex, London
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Bertha DocHouse, London
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Picturehouse Central, London
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ICA, London
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The Garden Cinema, London
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ArtHouse Crouch End, London
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The Lexi Cinema, London
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Hackney Picturehouse, London
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Ealing Picturehouse, London
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FACT Picturehouse, Liverpool
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Depot, Lewes
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Chapter, Cardiff
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Glasgow Film Theatre
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Watershed, Bristol
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Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle upon Tyne
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National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
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Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
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FROM APRIL 25
Arthouse Crouch End, London
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Bertha DocHouse, London
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Regent Street Cinema, London
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The Garden Cinema, London
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ICA, London
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HOME, Manchester
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The Lexi Cinema, London
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Hackney Picturehouse, London
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Greenwich Picturehouse, London
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FACT Picturehouse, Liverpool
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Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
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Glasgow Film Theatre
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Depot, Lewes
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Watershed, Bristol
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Tyneside Cinema
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Newlyn Filmhouse
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Cinema City Picturehouse
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Warwick Arts Centre
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ActOne, London
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Broadway, Nottingham
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Ritzy Picturehouse, London
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Chester Picturehouse
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Regal Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames
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Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Southampton
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City Screen Picturehouse, York
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Phoenix East Finchley, London
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Phoenix Leicester
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“One of Ireland’s most important novelists and a woman of fierce intelligence and bravery is celebrated in Sinéad O’Shea’s thoroughly enjoyable documentary”
★★★★
— The Guardian
“It’s executed in the same spirit of openness and friendship that O’Brien brought
to her own headlong passions”
— Screen International
“Sinéad O’Shea’s documentary is remarkable for its consideration of
an extraordinary life”
★★★★
— The Irish Times
“trailblazing talent is finally given her due in deft documentary”
★★★★
— Irish Independent
AWARDS + FESTIVALS
Toronto International Film Festival
Official Selection
DOC NYC
Official Selection
Cork International Film Festival
Official Selection