Kerry film-makers Ben & Luke set for release of new film

REMEMBER the names – Ben Kavanagh and Luke Murphy – for these two talented, young filmmakers from Kerry are surely set for big things in their industry, especially if their latest project is anything togoby.

Their new short film is called ‘Meat is Murder’ and stars actors Lorcan O’Neill and Kerry comedian Bernard Casey in the two lead roles. The film – which is just over 10 minutes in length – has just been released online this past weekend.

The concept behind the film is an entirely unique one, with the story set in a world in which the consumption of animal products is both taboo and illegal.

Acting on a tip-off, the start of the film deals with a vegan SWAT team moving in to catch a notorious meat-dealer by the name of Peter Ash (O’Neill).

Portmagee’s Bernard shows off his own fine acting skills too as he takes on the role of Ash’s lawyer, and these skills shine through in one scene in particular, where Casey delivers a fantastic monologue on the ‘Eye for an Eye’ clause.

Also in the film is acclaimed actor Joe Mullins, who can boast of credits in projects such as both Pilgrim Hill and

Glassland.

‘Meat is Murder’ marks the first time that directors Ben and Luke have collaborated on a project together and it was shot – entirely in Cork City – back in the summer of 2019 while the pair were in their second year of studying Film and Screen Media at UCC.

Ben, who is from Tralee, has already made a name for himself on the film circuit by picking up numerous awards over the past number of years.

His short film ‘Word of Mouth’ won Best Film at ‘First Cut Film Festival’ and the ‘Best Comedy’ at the Charlie Chaplin International Film Festival’. It was also chosen to be screened at the London Irish Film Festival, Junior Galway Film Fleadh, Kerry Film Festival and Fastnet Film Festival.

Not to be outdone, meanwhile, Killarney man Luke and his own project ‘Intro to Anthro’ was also been very well received.

It has been screened at the Fastnet Film Festival, the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, the IndieCork Film Festival and First Cut Film Festival.

Anyone who wishes to watch the film can just head over to the film’s ‘Meat is Murder - Short Film’ Facebook page.

TOP: Tralee based director Ben Kavanagh pictured on set making ‘Meat is Murder’ and RIGHT: his fellow director Luke Murphy, from Killarney, who also directed ‘Meat is Murder’. This is the first time that the pair have worked together on s project.

ABOVE: Actors Lorcan O’Neill and Bernard Casey star in ‘Meat is Murder’, in which O’Neill’s character is arrested by members of a vegan SWAT team (see above).