congratulations to my amazing sister esther! last night we watched the film premiere at the national film theatre of rains of fear, the first film she has directed. she founded synergy theatre company, an inspirational company that works in prisons and with ex offenders teaching drama and putting on plays. over the years we have watched plays in several of london’s prisons. every time the sense of achievement and worth the prisoners gain by performing is brilliant.
taking it to another level synergy ran a competition in prisons for writing a screenplay. this was won by damo whose script became ‘rains of fear’. esther had done a course in film directing and raised money and away she went with the confidence and daring she has always had in abundant supply. the results were brilliant. it’s a short film that tells a tale in the life of irish travellers – dark and brutal at times. i chatted with damo – he was so warm and gushing about esther and the transformation that has come in his life. 6 years ago he couldn’t read or write and yesterday he stood up to introduce his first film at the national film theatre! isn’t that incredible? esther has always loved prisoners – she sees the good where others fail to look. it’s an amazing gift. i was a very proud big brother…
this is such a wonderful story to read today. thanks.
she is and will always be one of my heroes… a cut diamond! i love that girl!
thanks for sharing this story; it’s tremendous.
this is a great story, I think anyone would be proud to have a sister like this.
As a former inmate of Australian prisons I would have to say that anyone who can find beauty in inmates is not only a beautiful person themselves but has taken the “You fed me clothed me and visited me” call to a level few are able to. There is nothing like this in Australian prisons, how would I get in touch with information about your sisters program?
I met Damo not long after this film was made. What an amazing story from an amazing man. I’d like to get a copy of his story but cannot find it. Could anyone suggest where I might get it? If you get a chance to see it or you already have…watch it,it can only move you. Good luck Damo, where ever you may be x