Renowned writers Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon and John Montague will all feature in Irish documentary ‘WB Yeats: No Country For Old Men’ when it airs on RTÉ tomorrow night.
The hour-long documentary explores the unknown history of one of Ireland’s most renowned literary geniuses, WB Yeats, as it focuses on Yeats’ later work and the themes that inspired him as an ageing man.
The documentary will also attempt to shed some light on the mystery that surrounds Yeats’ final burial place; which many historians claim is in fact the resting place of an Englishman called Alf who has no connection to Yeats.
IFTA Award-winning director Maurice Sweeney (Flann O’Brien: The Lives of Brian) set out to reveal a different side of Yeats that he believes not many are aware of.
Speaking to IFTN, Sweeney said the documentary was a “modern interpretation” of Yeats’ life, and was a “chance for the general public to reawaken the interest” in Yeats.
The director spoke to fellow poets such as Seamus Heaney and John Montague, historian and Yeats biographer Roy Foster, and historian Louise Foxcroft.
Poets of the next generation, including Stephen James Smith and Colm Keegan, also recite some of their own work for the documentary.
Sweeney directed the film, with his ‘Saving the Titanic’ producer Tony Deegan producing for Hotshot Films in Belfast. They filmed in areas of France and London as well as Sligo and Dublin last summer.
Sweeney also wrote the script with Jimmy McAleavey. Actress and singer Maria Doyle Kennedy narrated, while Ronan Fox (Execution) was the director of photography.
Paul Giles and Iseult Howlett edited for Piranha Bar. Michael Fleming composed and original score for the film.
‘WB Yeats: No Country For Old Men’ will air on RTÉ One on Tuesday November 27 at 10.15pm.
