Synopsis
A Transgender woman arrives home for her mothers funeral and is faced with her past and the estranged father she left behind.
About the Project
Written and Directed by Alan Dunne, Kildare County Council 'Short Grass Films' present “Where It All Began” starring Laylah Beattie making her on-screen debut as 'Fiona', and legendary actor Lalor Roddy ("That They May Face the Rising Sun," "Kneecap") as 'Tom'. Produced by Lee-Loi Chieng ("Never Kill a Femboy on the First Date") through Polite Thunder Pictures.
“Where It All Began” also stars (in order of appearance) Rosemary Kelly, Fergus Garrett, Caitlin Clauson and singer Tara Murphy Phelan.
Shooting on location in Tinahely and Arklow, Wicklow Ireland, Alan Dunne also shot and edited the film. The behind-the-scenes creative team includes sound mixer Thomas Stafford ("Meeting His Parents"); production designer Rebecca Griffith; composer Emer Landers ("Forever Hold Your Peace"); colour grader Martin Nee; and makeup artist Ann-Marie Carey Judd.
Executive Producer for Kildare County Council: Lucina Russell. DelaQuinn Production's co-produced with Eoin Quinn and Jayne Delahunt. Laylah Beattie also executive produced this project.
This film was a passion project to get made, and was a 3 years struggle to find funding. Lee-Loi personally gives a special thanks to: Elaine M. Donnelly, Miguel Ángel Vinas and Lauren Kelly who contributed to the development, in its various iterations to find funding. Trans Rights are Human Rights!
For Production, Lee-Loi personally gives a special thanks to Robert McCann Finn, Derick Mulvey and all the extras who turned out in Tinahely to film the funeral procession in torrential rain.
Interviews and Press
Producer Lee-Loi Chieng speaks to Eoin Mac Raghnaill about filming in Wicklow at The Independent - Powerful movie about transgender issues filmed in two Wicklow locations