STEPHEN REA: THE FIRE IN ME NOW

STEPHEN REA: THE FIRE IN ME NOW

STEPHEN REA: THE FIRE IN ME NOW

In the intimate documentary STEPHEN REA: THE FIRE IN ME NOW viewers are granted unprecedented access to one of Ireland’s most commanding artistic presences as he enters his seventh decade as a professional actor. The film, which premieres on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Thursday, April 10th at 10:15pm (and later on BBC iPlayer from April 24th), captures Rea in a moment of profound artistic reflection while rehearsing Samuel Beckett’s KRAPP’S LAST TAPE in Dublin—a production where he performs opposite recordings of his younger self made over a decade ago.

Born in North Belfast, Rea’s journey unfolds across the landscapes that shaped him—from his childhood home to his current residence north of Dublin, from London’s Maida Vale where he cut his teeth as a young actor, to the wild coastlines of his beloved Donegal. Throughout this geographical odyssey, we witness intimate conversations with long-time friends and collaborators including actor Sinéad Cusack, director Neil Jordan, and Civil Rights activist Eamon McCann, who reveal the self-described “messer” behind the often reserved public persona.

Despite initial hesitations about participating in the documentary—”I am a deeply private person, and I’ve always believed that the work has to be bigger than your ego,” Rea confesses—he ultimately agreed to honor the collaborators who shaped his remarkable career. The film weaves together rare archive footage spanning over fifty years, from student sketches at Queen’s University Belfast in the 1960s to his electrifying recent work with former Royal Court Theatre Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone.

The title, drawn from the final poignant lines of KRAPP’S LAST TAPE, aptly describes the undimmed intensity Rea brings to each performance. Though his collaborations with director Neil Jordan in films like THE CRYING GAME and MICHAEL COLLINS brought him international acclaim, the documentary reveals a man whose artistic fire burns most brightly when challenging conventional expectations. A proud North Belfast native, Rea hopes his story might inspire younger actors: “There’s not one set path to being an actor. It’s about being true to yourself.”

Through this compelling portrait, produced by Walk on Air Films and commissioned by RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland with support from Northern Ireland Screen, viewers witness not just the evolution of a singular talent, but a man whose artistic integrity and hypnotic screen presence have made him one of Ireland’s most treasured cultural ambassadors—a fire that, indeed, burns now as brightly as ever.

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Irish Film

Stephen Rea for Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen Rea

Oscar-nominated Irish actor Stephen Rea (THE CRYING GAME, MICHAEL COLLINS) will be honored with the Irish Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement for his “outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry,” the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) unveiled on Wednesday. Rea will be presented with the honor in the presence of family, friends and industry colleagues at the 21st IFTA Awards ceremony, taking place on Saturday, April 20 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. The evening will be hosted by Baz Ashmawy, one of Ireland’s most popular TV personalities.

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Irish Film

Stephen Rea earns John B. Keane Award

Stephen Rea

THE CRYING GAME star Stephen Rea will be honoured at Listowel Writer’s Week with the John B. Keane Lifetime Achievement Award. Organisers confirmed this week that the Belfast native will be presented with his award and a citation on the opening night of the popular annual literary event, which takes place from May 31 until June 4. Mr Rea’s citation will “celebrate his contribution to Irish theatre”, they organisers confirm.

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Irish Film

Catch up with Stephen Rea

This August, Stephen returns to Kilkenny Arts Festival to host Saíocht, a beautiful evening of music and poetry in St. John’s Priory on Monday, August 8. Saíocht features Ireland’s leading poets Gabriel Rosenstock and Emily Cullen. Joined by acclaimed Irish traditional musicians, Louise Mulcahy, Michelle Mulcahy and Neil Martin, the super-group will explore the fascinating artistic relationship between the Irish literary tradition and Irish traditional music.

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Irish Film