I was reminded of this short film today via a Christmas present. I had to recreate my IMDB account because I'd long forgotten my original password. The present was the Boys from the Blackstuff DVD set and memories came flooding back. (more in a bit) I saw Dreamers and Weepers at a festival many years ago and it struck a cord with me. Despite it being raw and rough around the edges, the content was on its game for the time and probably the only example of a short film depicting issues of the era and sadly to this day. I spoke to the Director, Derek Wheeler years later via email and he was so proud and yet ashamed about it. Ashamed that it wasn't as technically competent as it should have been, but proud that it represented the theme and his visual intention. He based it both on an episode from the BAFTA Award winning Boys from the Blackstuff series and what was happening in Ireland at the time. He regretted not telling anyone else involved as the visual style was bland kitchen sink drama akin to the Shop thy neighbour episode from the BBC drama. The similarities are obvious and most likely the film making style didn't sit well with viewers at the time. The script is somewhat under developed to a degree. Hard to get such a complex story set up tight in only 20 mins though. That said it portrays sad things and in keeping with the particular Boys from the Blackstuff episode influence, you get the drama between the leads but Wheeler then deviates from the killing of animals to the murder suicide of the Dad and his kids. Despite the failings of other parts of this film, the end scene is one of breath taking bravery. Once again, despite the shaky script and production style (I can appreciate the production style now) it deserved to be more widely seen and discussed. I wonder where those involved are now. The director walked away from it all a few years ago. A shame. I think he and others involved like lead Pat Halligan had loads more to say.
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