Screenwriter Eamon Little Introduces ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’

Eamon Little, the screenwriter behind That They May Face the Rising Sun, joins forces with director Pat Collins to adapt John McGahern’s poignant final novel for the big screen. The captivating film:
watch That They May Face the Rising Sun now on RTÉ Player.

A Tale of Entrance: Cúirt Festival 2002

In 2002, during the Cúirt Festival, Eamon Little captured what was likely the first public reading of the opening pages of That They May Face the Rising Sun. The story unfolds with Jamesie Murphy, a mysterious figure, entering the Ruttledges’ rural home on Easter Sunday morning. The narrative quietly sets the stage for a vivid and reflective portrait of a secluded community, with subtle hints of the decade that follows in John McGahern’s novel. Little, then unaware of the profound impact this book would have on his life, laid the groundwork for a later collaboration with Pat Collins.

Memorable Collaboration: Pt. Collins Enters the Scene

In 2004, Pat Collins invited Eamon Little to contribute to his documentary, A Private World, centered around the final days of John McGahern. What began as a short project turned into repeated visits over several days, allowing Little and others to develop a deeper connection with the ailing author. These experiences and the interviews they shared would later prove invaluable as they embarked on adapting McGahern’s works for the screen.

From Novel to Screen: Following McGahern’s Principles

Years later, Little received an unexpected call from Pat Collins to adapt That They May Face the Rising Sun, following years of previous struggles to find collaborators for McGahern’s works. Collaborating with a director who had previously worked on A Private World meant that both were already deeply familiar with McGahern’s writing style and the characters he created.

John McGahern once stated, “Good writing, in some way or other, is suggestion. You leave the characters alone and through the suggestions and the images, their completed life is in the reader’s mind.” This principle guided Little and Collins as they crafted their screenplay, aiming to immerse viewers in the story without overpowering dialogue or plot twists.

The Craft of Filmmaking: Writing the Script

“Good writing… is suggestion. You leave the characters alone and through the suggestions and the images, their completed life is in the reader’s mind.”

Collaboration on the screenplay involved exhausting efforts of refining and reworking scenes. It was a process of stripping away elements that felt superfluous in each of the seven drafts, all while ensuring that the outcome remained true to McGahern’s original work. Imperatively, the film aimed to reflect the novel’s essence with subtle imagery that invited viewers to form their own interpretation of the story.

Premiere and Recognition

Eight years after the initial idea, ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ is finally complete and ready for its Irish TV premiere on RTÉ One on St. Stephen’s Night at 9:20 pm. The film, a beautifully crafted adaptation, encapsulates the collaboration of screenwriter Eamon Little and director Pat Collins, blending perfectly with a wealth of talent involved in the cast and crew.

Heartfelt Appreciation

Eamon Little expresses his profound gratitude to both John McGahern and Pat Collins, acknowledging the importance of their work in bringing ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ to the screen. “Thanks John, thanks Pat,” Little concludes, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the contributions of his fellow collaborators.

The film is available to watch on RTÉ One on St. Stephen’s Night, December 27th, at 9:20pm, and is free to view on the RTÉ Player.