Pure Divilment Pictures, a new independent production company based in Dublin,aiming to champion the next generation of great Irish film and television, has officially launched.
Founded by director Nell Hensey and producer Claire Mooney, Pure Divilment Pictures describe themselves as “Ireland’s first all-female, Gen Z led production company”.
Nell Hensey is a Filipino-Irish filmmaker from the West of Ireland. Nell was one of 10 international directors selected for TIFF’s Filmmaker Lab 2023. She has been mentored by Lenny Abrahamson (Normal People, Room), Element Pictures’ Emma Norton and Netflix Showrunner Alex Metcalf.
Co-founder Claire Mooney (formerly DNEG, Cartoon Saloon) acts as lead producer of Pure Divilment Pictures. Nell and Claire met four years ago, while studying Masters in Creative Production and Screen Finance at Ireland’s National Film School. The pair previously worked together on the award-winning anthology film Baths, financed by the Arts Council of Ireland.
The company’s first TV Special Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan will be broadcast on RTÉ Television in November and will be available to stream on the RTÉ player. Co-financed by Screen Ireland, as part of RTÉ’s Storyland series, Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan is based on the short story by Yan Ge and stars Chris Walley (The Young Offenders), Lila Coleman (Normal People), David Rawle (Moone Boy) and Screen Daily 2023 Rising Star, Patrick Martins.
Directed by Nell Hensey and produced by Claire Mooney, the story follows a young Chinese girl who meets the guy of her dreams at a film club in Dublin, only to find out the next day that he has died under mysterious circumstances. She sets out on a mission to discover the truth, unable to shake the feeling that something special is now forever lost. The drama’s soundtrack features songs by CMAT, Denise Chaila, Jyellowl, Tebi Rex and more.
Pure Divilment Pictures also has several television and film projects in development. What Feminism Is, based on the short story by Louise Nealon and directed by Emma Smith, is set for production later this year. The company is also currently developing Displacement, director Nell Hensey’s feature film debut, in addition to two TV series and an original feature film musical.
