Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story – A Documentarian’s Quest
About three-quarters of the way through Sinéad O’Shea’s new documentary, Blue Road, about the writer Edna O’Brien, the camera lingers on a well-thumbed Marcel Proust biography with a Harrods receipt as a bookmark.
This well-worn volume and its distinctive bookmark might just encapsulate the lady of letters and glamour upon whom the documentary is based. The title Blue Road itself appears in a moment of tension between Edna and her ex-husband Ernest Gébler, insinuating a profound clash of sensibilities.
The Making of ‘Blue Road’
Edna O’Brien, born in 1931 in Tuamgraney, Co Clare, passed away in 2024 at the age of 93, just a few short kilometres from her birthplace. In her lifetime, she was a celebrated figure, and Sinéad O’Shea aimed to capture the essence of her remarkable life in Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story.
O’Shea began interviewing O’Brien in August 2023, recording her final thoughts in April 2024, mere months before her death. The film blends these intimate interviews, archive footage, diary entries (voiced by Jessibuckley), and reflections from other notable figures who were influenced by O’Brien. Her sons, Carlo Gébler, a poet, and Sasha Gébler, an architect, also contribute to the documentary, providing a vivid, nuanced portrayal of this complex woman.
The documentary’s title, Blue Road, was inspired by one of O’Brien’s descriptions that was met with fierce disapproval by her ex-husband. This detail underscores the emotional depth and subjectivity in O’Brien’s writing that Gébler often criticized, highlighting her dominance in the war between their sensibilities.
Gébler, often portrayed as a realist, found O’Brien’s more subjective writing threatening. Through various interviews and archive footage, the documentary illustrates why O’Brien was a formidable literary figure despite the criticism she faced.
A Friendship Sparked at a Wedding
Sinéad O’Shea, a former journalist with a keen eye for captivating stories, found herself in conversation with a woman about “bad men and broken hearts” at a wedding. She quoted Edna O’Brien to the woman, prompting a surprising request to make a film about her. The woman was Barbara Broccoli, producer of the James Bond franchise and a close friend of O’Brien.
Barbara became instrumental in bringing O’Shea’s project to fruition. Despite the initial fundraising challenges, O’Shea managed to secure development money from Screen Ireland and other investors, paving the way for the documentary to come to life.
The first interviews with O’Brien set the stage for the rest of the documentary. Within weeks of meeting, she was in front of the camera, recounting her life’s lessons and experiences. O’Brien’s wisdom and charisma shone through, making her a compelling subject.
The Power of Archive Footage
One particularly impactful moment in the documentary was when O’Brien watched old archive footage of herself and her parents being interviewed by a BBC film crew. The recording shows the family engaged in a facade of composure, which O’Brien found deeply unsettling. Her father’s jovial singing of “Danny Boy” amidst their fabricated answers created a stark, often humorous contrast that highlighted the tensions and complexities of her growing up in 1950s Ireland.
This footage, which includes O’Brien perched uneasily in the corner, became a pivotal element in O’Shea’s narrative. After watching the interview years later, O’Brien asked O’Shea to incorporate the footage into the documentary, reinforcing the film’s authenticity and personal touch.
Edna O’Brien’s Divisive Nature
Throughout her career, Edna O’Brien faced significant criticism, often from male literary peers who seemed jealous of her success. Writers like John Broderick and Kevin Myers were particularly vocal in their disdain, often questioning her talent and motives.
O’Shea attributes much of this criticism to a cultural distrust of female success in Ireland. Traditionally, women who thrived in literary circles often had powerful male relatives or were seen as meticulous and untainted. O’Brien’s unconventional life and unapologetic writing style made her stand out, and her critics found it a challenge to accept her.
While O’Brien admitted to saying outlandish things at times, O’Shea argues that the extent of criticism she faced compared to her male contemporaries was unjustified. She was both queenly and easily wounded by negative feedback, which continued to impact her well into her adult years.
Some people talk a lot of rubbish about what it takes to be an artist. It takes tenacity. And she had that.
Sinéad O’Shea
The Glamourous Life and Its Cost
Despite her success, O’Brien struggled with her fluctuating faith in herself, a trait that O’Shea describes as both a flaw and a defining characteristic. O’Brien also faced repeated challenges in her relationships with men. Her penchant for indulging in the high life—marked by frequent champagne consumption—became a source of both admiration and criticism.
O’Shea reflects that O’Brien’s generosity could have been her downfall, bankrupting her financially as she sought to recreate a lifestyle of glamour and excitement that contrasted with her impoverished childhood. However, she also understands the futility of regretting her choices, considering the vibrant and influential life she led.
The Writing Legacy
The documentary emphasizes that O’Brien’s writing was her true stronghold. Over the years, she published 34 books, ranging from fiction and non-fiction to film scripts and plays, even during a decade-long hiatus where she maintained her fiction through diary entries.
Though some of O’Brien’s later works shifted towards more political themes, O’Shea believes that her early work was more compelling. O’Brien defied expectations and pivoted to new genres with remarkable success, showcasing her exceptional tenacity.
The Final Interview
The last interview O’Shea conducted with O’Brien took place in April 2024, soon before her death. O’Brien was frail, but her spirit remained unbroken. In these moments, she reaffirmed her love for writing, even as she described her battles with self-doubt and criticism.
O’Shea expresses sadness and regret at her inability to fully reassure O’Brien of the documentary’s success. She had become a galvanizing force, encouraging O’Shea to pursue the film against mounting odds.
The Documentary’s Journey
Blue Road premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and went on to win Best New Irish Feature at the Cork International Film Festival. Produced by SOS in collaboration with Tara Films and supported by Screen Ireland, Sky, and the UK Global Screen Fund, the documentary received critical acclaim.
Edna’s terrible flaw was her fluctuating faith in herself.
Sinéad O’Shea
Despite securing significant backing, O’Shea expresses disappointment that RTÉ did not contribute to the project. She believes this support could have brought the documentary to a wider audience and added more weight to capturing a central figure in Irish literature.
A Cinematic Tribute
Edna O’Brien’s funeral took place on the picturesque Holy Island in Co Clare, with an exceptional gathering of her admirers and friends. O’Brien’s presence during the making of the documentary was felt even after her passing, as her final thoughts and contributions shaped the film.
With its mix of intimate reflection, archive footage, and critical insights, Blue Road stands as a testament to O’Brien’s indomitable spirit and her unique place in Irish literary history. O’Brien’s life will undoubtedly be remembered as one of extraordinary courage and creativity, and this documentary ensures that her story will not be forgotten.
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story is set to release in Irish cinemas on January 31st, offering audiences a compelling journey through the life of one of the 20th century’s most revered writers.
Conclusion and Legacy
Sinéad O’Shea’s documentary uncovers layers of Edna O’Brien’s life, showcasing her strengths and weaknesses, her fears, and her triumphs. It is an intimate, powerful tribute to a writer who defied societal norms and criticism to leave an indelible mark on literature.
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