A reflective investigation into processes of illustration and association, Dreamtime, Revisited, directed by Lithuanian born Julius Ziz and Dónal Ó Céilleachair, makes a fitting tribute to Irish philosopher sage John Moriarty, who died five years ago just after completing his distinguished autobiography Nostos.

Using interviews with Moriarty’s family and close friends, excerpts from his books, as well as passages from his most celebrated recorded talks and lectures, the film blends these predominantly aural elements with a rich collage of archive and contemporary footage, mixing temporalities and sources to create a fitting dream-like effect. These sequences of seemingly unrelated clips are charged by repetition and speed to reinforce subtleties in Moriarty’s poetic texts, and his subjects – emigration, memory and provenance – are all underpinned by a preoccupation with Irishness and in particular, the rural Irish landscape.

Expert in its handling of the marriage between text and image, the film’s soundtrack composed by Peadar Ó Riada features musical accompaniment, particularly from Martin Hayes and Caoimhín Ó’Raghaillaigh, to masterful effect. (Notes by Alice Butler.)

There will be a post-screening Q&A with co-director Dónal Ó Céilleachair and IFI Curator Sunniva O’Flynn after the 18.20 screening on Friday Oct 12.

“Magical, wondrous, sensual and spiritual, Dreamtime Revisited is an evocative recollection of the life and work of writer, poet and philosopher, John Moriarty.  Aesthetically this film is a varied feast of epic sweeping views that would make Peter Jackson jealous . . . a nostalgic heart wrenching and at times hilarious piece of cinema.” Gemma Creagh, Film Ireland Magazine

“Julius Ziz and Dónal Ó Céilleachair have made a transcendentally beautiful film. . . a technical triumph.” The Irish Times

“A dreamy celebration of great poetic beauty . . . fans of Terrence Malick really should check out this Irish offering.” Gavin Burke, The Irish Independent

“Reawakens a more mystical dimension of Irish experience, one to which the majority of us have become closed off.” Padraic Killeen, The Examiner

“Dreamtime Revisited is a poem . . . (it) achieves a sense of what John Moriarty would invoke time and time again during his life. I can watch and re-watch this piece and feel the same pleasure as I do from listening and re-listening to a great song. Molaim an Obair.” Liam Ó Maonlaí