Passionately filmed for two years with no budget, SAVIOURS is the moving debut feature film by Ross Whitaker and Liam Nolan.
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This observational documentary interweaves the roller-coaster fortunes of three young boxers over an 18-month period as they strive to make the most of their lives, both inside and outside of the ring. The film follows Abdul, an asylum seeker from Ghana, whose toughest fight lies outside the ring as he battles to stay in Ireland. Dean, a local lad from the flats fights to overcome injury in order to fulfill his goal of winning an Olympic gold. And Darren, a young man of Irish-Caribbean parentage and the club’s best talent, struggles to choose between boxing and his university studies.
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As they make their personal journeys, they are coaxed and cajoled by the canny coaches of what is perhaps Ireland’s most famous amateur boxing gym; St. Saviour’s Olympic Boxing Academy. The club defiantly continues to stand slap-bang in the middle of the council flats on Dorset Street, one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Ireland. *************************
While we follow the problematic lives of our main three characters, we also return to the club intermittently to hear what the club’s colourful coaches think of each development. The wise heads have seen it all before and they’ll surely see it again.
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SAVIOURS paints a vividly candid portrait of a small inner city boxing club and the lives of three of its young boxers as they strive to fulfill their ambitions in life.
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Running Time 80 mins | Colour | Digi Beta |
Directed by Ross Whitaker & Liam Nolan |
Edited by Bob Caldwell | Music by Stephen Shannon
Movies
Checkpoint, Ghosts of Cite Soleil, Dig, Spellbound, The Fog of War, Etre et Avoir, Soldier Girls, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Hoop Dreams, Murderball, Shut Up and Sing, The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.
SAVIOURS WILL SHOW AT THE NEW YORK FILM FLEADH IN MARCH
SEE www.thecraicfest.com for details
**WINNER** INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SOUTH AFRICA
**WINNER** WATERFORD FILM FESTIVAL
**WINNER** MAMA AWARD
SPECIAL THANKS TO CINEMAS ALL OVER IRELAND FOR SUPPORTING US
Now showing on brand new 35mm prints and with a full Dolby 5.1 Mix, SAVIOURS is hitting the big screen! Featuring Irish Olympic bronze medalist Darren Sutherland, this debut feature documentary from Ross Whitaker and Liam Nolan was filmed for over two years on a zero budget and follows the fortunes of three aspiring young boxers from St Saviours Olympic Boxing Academy in Dublin's north inner city.
We hope you can make it to a screening and tell your friends!
4* Sunday World 4* Irish Star 4* Sunday Tribune - film of the week 4* Irish Examiner 4* Sunday Business Post - film of the week 4* Irish Daily Mail
4* Hot Press - film of the fortnight 4* RTE Guide 4* RTE Entertainment 4* Irish Independent 4* Evening Herald 5* Evening Echo 4* Metro
QUOTES
"Packs as much of a punch as Champ, Raging Bull an all the Rocky films put together - Irish Times
"SAVIOURS represents the best in bare-bones, small-scale filmmaking..." Chicago Tribune
SAVIOURS is a small miracle... this year's Once'. Hot Press
"Ireland's answer to Million Dollar Baby…" Irish Daily Mail
"This new Irish film packs a punch!" Irish Independent
"Inspiring, packed with personality, a winner" Sunday World
"A natural and startling honest portrayal..." Film Ireland
Dean Murphy
Dean Murphy was born in Dublin in 1985. He grew up in the Dominick Street flats just around the corner from St Saviours. At the age of seven he first went up to St. Saviours and asked Pat McCormack, one of the St Saviours coaches if he could join. Told he was too young, the young Dean returned the following year only to hear the same response. Finally at nine years old, Dean was allowed to join. He won every title from the age of ten to seventeen and after becoming Irish Intermediate Light Weight Champion in 2004, Dean set his eyes on winning a Senior title and competing for Ireland at the Olympics.
Abdul Hussain
Abdul Hussain was born in Akra in Ghana in 1982. Abdul grew up in a large family in one of Akra's suburbs named Akratown. He speaks fondly of growing up there, playing football more so than boxing. At fourteen however, Abdul started some light boxing in a relative's boxing gym and football took a back seat.
Then at fifteen, tragedy struck when Abdul's uncle, the Deputy President of the Bank of Ghana was murdered. Abdul's parents felt it best for Abdul to leave Ghana and along with his older brother, he travelled to Germany to claim asylum. After almost three years in detention centres in Germany, Abdul decided to leave and went to the UK where he lived for six months. The UK authorities refused to give him asylum status and so finally in 2001, Abdul arrived in Ireland and immediately claimed asylum on the grounds that his life was in danger.
After one week living in Dublin, Abdul walked in St Saviours Olympic Boxing Academy on Dorset Street and asked if he could join as a member. The coaches tested him out with some light sparring and sure enough, he was invited to come back the next evening. Since then, Abdul has been one of St Saviours most dedicated members and an integral part of the club's 'family'. Abdul's immigration situation remains unsolved and he awaits the result of his application for leave to remain in the country on humanitarian grounds.
Darren Sutherland
Darren was born in Dublin in 1982. From the ages of twelve to sixteen he lived in Blanchardstown having lived in London and the small west Indian island of St. Vincent as a child.
At fifteen, Darren started boxing at a local Blanchardstown boxing club. He soon moved to a professional gym in Sheffield where he trained with Brendan Ingle, the legendary Irish coach. After three years Darren returned to Dublin, studied for his leaving certificate and at the age of twenty was successful in getting a place at DCU to study Sports Science. Since returning to Ireland, Darren trained full time in St. Saviours Olympic Boxing Academy and so began his mentorship under John McCormack, the head coach of St. Saviours.
In 2005 Darren was able to fully concentrate on getting to the Olympics to represent his country. After winning gold at the EU championship in 2007, Darren qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the Athens qualifiers in April. Having just completed his summer exams at DCU, Darren started full-time training with the Irish Squad in preparation for the first round bout on 9th August. Subsequently, Darren won a Bronze Medal for Ireland at the Olympic Games.
HI!! Thankx for the add from Italy! Take a shot at our material online, hope you'll enjoy it, share freely and support us! and don't foget to visit our official homepage www. mysiametal. it Stay brutal!
Thanks Liam, can't wait for a second Saviour viewing! The mustachio is gone I'm afraid. I must have had about 20 people come up to me about it last Friday-- crazy. A lad at www. muzu. tv filmed the video, he's very good by all accounts.
Playing 3 or so tunes at Bosco theatre tonight for the fringe fest if your about man. On about 11, think its free.
Hi Liam, please pass on my best regards to your father for me. He knows me from the record fairs(always going on about Al O'Donnell!)I'm trying to get publicity for a friend who is directing the below play. Thanks, Ian.
Death and the Maiden Players Theatre, Trinity 23rd June to 5th July, 8pm Admis E18
On Thursday 26th of June, International Day Against Torture, the performance will be followed by a post-show discussion, with panel members from Amnesty International and Spirasi.
Dean Murphy was born in Dublin in 1985. He grew up in the Dominick Street flats just around the corner from St Saviours. At the age of seven he first went up to St. Saviours and asked Pat McCormack, one of the St Saviours coaches if he could join. Told he was too young, the young Dean returned the following year only to hear the same response. Finally at nine years old, Dean was allowed to join. He won every title from the age of ten to seventeen and after becoming Irish Intermediate Light Weight Champion in 2004, Dean set his eyes on winning a Senior title and competing for Ireland at the Olympics. 
Abdul Hussain was born in Akra in Ghana in 1982. Abdul grew up in a large family in one of Akra's suburbs named Akratown. He speaks fondly of growing up there, playing football more so than boxing. At fourteen however, Abdul started some light boxing in a relative's boxing gym and football took a back seat.
Darren was born in Dublin in 1982. From the ages of twelve to sixteen he lived in Blanchardstown having lived in London and the small west Indian island of St. Vincent as a child. 
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