“We are trying to be heard.”
The late, great, Northern Ireland poet Michael Longley begins his poem “For Derek, Seamus, and Jimmy” with that line. It reflects the urge deep in the hearts of a people forced into the reality of “Whatever you say, say nothing.” They echo in both Catholic and Protest areas of Belfast and across Northern Ireland, Republican and Loyalist, during both the 30-year war called the Troubles and in the 30 years of its aftermath.
“I wasn’t getting honest messages from the radio or television or the newspapers. But I was getting them from the poets. I don’t know if it is always the case in a conflict or if it was part of the Irish or Northern Irish culture.”
—- Monica McWilliams, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition
We are so close to finishing They Murdered the Ice Cream Man, and I am hoping you can be part of the team that helps us bring this story to audiences in both the UK and USA in the spring of 2026.
My producing colleague in Belfast, David Kilpatrick, and myself have been able to put together what we think is an extraordinary post-production team.
– Cinematographer Mark Garret’s documentary film work includes Alex Gibney’s Boom, Boom: The World Versus Boris Becker. His work on dramas includes the HBO series Game of Thrones.
– Editor David Gray has shaped dozens of film and television shows, both documentary and dramatic. His documentary work includes the World War II film Ukraine: Holocaust Ground Zero and the Troubles film Lost Lives.
– Musician and composer Neil Martin is a Belfast native whose music has been performed across the world, from Ground Zero, Mostar Bridge, and the Royal Albert Hall.
The final process of making a film is called post-production. We need $50,000 by August to fund post-production and bring this film to audiences. We are asking you to help us raise it in increments of $5,000. Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted. I invite you to watch the video trailer of this film at the bottom of this page.
Lastly, here is what Nancy Soderberg, former Ambassador to the UN, who played a role in the Northern Ireland peace process, and Ron Bachman, who programs films for WGBH, Boston’s PBS station, have to say about They Murdered the Ice Cream Man.
“The idea of looking at the Troubles and their traumatic aftermath through the eyes and words of poets is a powerful way to take audiences past the sectarian politics and into the emotional reality of Northern Ireland. It will have an impact on both sides of the community.”
—- Nancy Soderberg, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.
“The fact that this isn’t a standard history of this era, but rather a meditation on the role of poetry in a divided society – one in which this art form is deeply embedded – makes for an unusual and intriguing angle on the topic.”
—- Ron Bachman, Sr. Director of Programming, WGBH (PBS, Boston)
We hope you enjoy the most recent trailer of our film.
