THE FILMMAKERS
Stephen Mulhearn
Writer / Director
Background
Stephen blends his work as a filmmaker with his three decades of experience as one of the directors/teachers of a leading British retreat centre that supports people to transform their lives. “In my work as a teacher, I have had the honour of having heard the heroic stories and challenges that thousands of people have experienced. In many ways, my films are a testament and love letter to the human spirit to endure, overcome and begin again.”
Dream to Screen
Film school was an intense period in Stephen’s life. Whilst juggling his teaching job and being a full-time film student, he welcomed a daughter into the world and lost both his parents, all within four years! Despite the intensity of life back then, Stephen graduated from Edinburgh’s Screen Academy with an honour’s degree and clear goals as a filmmaker; First, he would hone his skills and experience via documentaries. Next, he would move on to his life dream of writing/directing full-length feature films that hit the heart, with lasting impact.
Shortly after graduating, Stephen set up his own film production company, Seeing The Magic. He has since made two award-winning documentaries, Transcending the Storm and Eternity’s Sunrise. Both moving documentaries provide insights and inspiration for overcoming adversity and building a creative life.
On the back of these two inspirational documentaries, comes a powerful full-length feature film, The Low Road. This was a dream come true for a first feature. Stephen worked with brilliant young actors from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, as well as seasoned Scottish actor Ewan Stewart (Titanic, Rob Roy). His long-time collaborator, double BAFTA award-winning Director of Photography Alan C. McLaughlin, came onboard and together they fulfilled a dream of shooting their first feature film together.
Sensitivity to the Subject Matter
With the films subject matter of self-harm and suicide, Stephen and producer Sophie Marsh, reached out to people on the front line of this global crisis. With support and direct input from the Samaritans, a unique cinematic tales of these times has been created. “This is not a normal drama. Yes, it takes people on a dramatic journey, but it also had to be accurate and hopefully supportive for the millions of people in the world affected by self-harm and suicide.”
The Low Road has had test screenings with Government Suicide Prevention Leads, High School Students, Mental Health Professionals, Charity CEO’s, Suicide Prevention Organisations, National Police and the Deans of leading British Universities. From Superintendents at the National Police Force to experts in suicide prevention, the feedback has been100% positive for a real-world application of The Low Road.
"This film will save lives"
John Gibson, The Canmore Trust
who lost his beloved son Cammy to suicide.
Stephen hopes that The Low Road is not just a moving film of these times. The bigger dream is that, in a small way, it can be used as a filmic prescription of intervention. Beyond entertainment…This film has such potential to help many…
Sophie Marsh
Producer
As a producer
I want to help lift, from concept to Silver Screen, stories that make a real difference in the world. As a first-time producer, with a first-feature director, on a full-length feature film, this was, at times, a terrifying prospect - talk about flinging yourself in at the deep end!
Stephen Mulhearn’s initial draft of The Low Road spoke volumes to me and struck a very raw, personal chord. The story resonated as a direct result of my own ‘lived experience’.
My Story
Back in my late teens and early twenties I suffered from depression and self-harmed. Reading the first draft brought back a lot of difficult memories but I also could see where my ‘lived experience’ could bring more facts to this powerful work of fiction. So, I took a deep breath, and decided to share a well-hidden secret, bringing to the table personal experiences that were added to the final draft of The Low Road.
This powerful, emotive story about a young woman trapped by her secret of self-harm and her quest into wilderness to find answers, is partially my own truth.
The Low Road is filled with invitations to feel into our hero Ellies journey. Like the movies of old, that both Stephen and I leaned into for inspiration, there are breathing spaces in this film. This approach gives the viewer time to feel and connect with the nuances of this young woman’s journey of recovery. Over and over, at test screenings, people said they felt like they were walking side-by-side with Ellie.
We all felt a huge sense of responsibly with The Low Road. It was a mission and half to pull off! Whilst juggling a toddler, often on set, with hands full of shooting schedules, walkie talkies and nappies, I produced a film that I, and all involved, are deeply connected to. Even though it’s an indie, it’s proper! I challenge anyone with a heartbeat to watch The Low Road and not cry.
Beyond my goal of producing a beautiful cinematic film that is a journey of transformation that I hope audiences will love, I also wanted to deliver a project that struck a raw chord of truth. I feel immensely proud of The Low Road. It’s an understated, touching story that both shows the brutal reality of losing someone you love to suicide, whilst offering a wee ray of light, within tender shots of hope.
As a film producer who cares passionately about the growing breach in many people’s minds, if all the test screenings are accurate, then we have made a film that will find a home in many people’s hearts.