Rehan Ali graduated with a BSc in Neuroscience in 2021 and an MSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in 2023 from University College Cork. He is a writer and filmmaker most recently having written and directed ‘Water Under The Bridge’ for Virgin Media and co-written the short film ‘Haven’. He was one of the authors for the book ‘Correspondences: An anthology to call for an end to direct provision’ and his next piece will be published in Lowell, Massachusetts later this year. Rehan was selected as one of the four Irish Writers Centre Young Writer Delegates for the 2023 West Cork Literary Festival.
Rehan has been involved with the Tudor Artisan Hub since we first opened our doors in 2014.
https://www.erss.ie/post/former-student-rehan-ali-and-his-success-in-film-script-writing
JANUARY 2021 HUB ARTISTS CANDID INTERVIEWS
𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲...𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥!
Each day during Lockdown 3 - we are asking a Hub connected artist a series of 21 random questions to give you a little insight into another layer that make up our amazing creatives...all a bit of light hearted fun and a distraction during lockdown...enjoy! The Artist preparing the questions doesn't know who the mystery guest is!
𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 15th 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏
𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩: Writer/Filmmaker Rehan Ali
(Questions by Ruaidhri Lynch)
𝟏. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫/𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫/𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫? Stories have always provided a very much needed escape. From a very young age, I became fascinated with the art of storytelling. It wasn’t long before I transitioned from simply consuming them to creating them. Back then I wasn’t trying to be a writer. I was just trying to design a world that made more sense to me. Like most things do, this fascination too evolved. Then came the Hub. And Linda. And an opportunity to fulfil a growing ambition. To make a film. And I did. Ever since then I've been hooked and haven’t looked back.
𝟐. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦?
The past has always been my greatest inspiration. Not just mine but of those around me. So much is concealed within the folds of history. So much that one can learn from. So much that one can use to power their creativity. The good. The bad. Everything we’ve experienced is significant in some way or the other. Everything has a purpose of some sort.
𝟑. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? Well, currently I need to be pretty articulate in Python for my final year project. So if anyone is fluent at this particular programming language and has any tips, I’d make sure to include you in the acknowledgements!
𝟒. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮? Boy, that is a tough question. I guess when it comes to storytelling and filmmaking, although I am enthusiastic to explore all different types of genres, horror has always piqued my interest. Horror movies throughout the lifespan of filmmaking have documented the fears and concerns of a population. There's so much you can tell about a person by what they fear. There's so much you can tell about a point in time in history by what managed to cause panic. In this way, I believe horror movies are a great testament to the many fears of the human race throughout the years. Isn’t that just so fascinating?!
𝟓. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟑 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬? In a mess still trying to figure out who I want to be. What exactly I want to do. But at least happy with what I’ve done thus far and eagerly ready to continue my journey of growth as a student, as an artist and simply as a person.
𝟔. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? I don’t think I have a favourite fictional story. And I never really was that into fairy tales. But any story that has a sense of struggle and an undying passion to overcome that struggle always seems to burrow into my mind (Grave of the Fireflies - A very solemn and deserving reference)
𝟕. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞? Cake. I know that might not really apply but it’s what I want. Oh, healthy eating resolution, why do you torment me so…
𝟖. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞? Anything that acknowledges the hard work that has been employed into something I’ve done regardless of the outcome. The process of creating in itself is the achievement.
𝟗. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬…𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭? Have you currently seen our world? I’ll definitely need more than just one wish. But pretending we live in an at least somewhat of a just world, a very basic concern I've always had is the lack of support for art programmes in schools. I know I always wanted more support and nourishment of my creativity as a child from school so I’m sure kids feel the same way. Invest more in the arts!
𝟏𝟎. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧? Premiere night. It’s a full house at the Brewery Lane Theatre. Everyone’s seated and looking forward to the release of “If Anyone Asks”. I’ve just arrived from Fermoy and am greeted at the hub by a very stressed out Linda and Patrice. The final copy of the film is being exported with 15 minutes till showtime. All of our gazes fixed on the bar as it slowly increases. When it's done we finally get up and run down to the theatre, the flash drive still warm. The film plays without a minute to spare. It definitely wasn’t very funny then. But it’s a pretty amusing close call to look back on.
𝟏𝟏. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟? I am proud of all of the projects I've contributed too. They have all educated me soo much and allowed me to work with incredible people. But ’SOLES’ was just so exciting for me as a very young writer and filmmaker!
𝟏𝟐. 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞? 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞? There are at least a couple dozen! But I want to make a very good thriller. A story, a realisation that takes the viewer by surprise. It’s planned out in my mind although it's constantly being modified. Let’s see where it goes.
𝟏𝟑. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞? ‘Mixed Emotions’ - although I think the Rolling Stones may have beat me to it. It would probably be blues. Or perhaps folk? Hmm, I need to think about it…
𝟏𝟒. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞? Black. Yes, definitely black.
𝟏𝟓. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞? I’ve been boringly pragmatic so none thus far. But hopefully, I can develop more strange beliefs in the future. I think it’s fun and overall valuable to allow yourself to believe in peculiar things. Letting yourself give some fragment of control can be very beneficial. Or at least I would think, after all, this is coming from a total control freak.
𝟏𝟔. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞? Hopefully the end. I’d like to think that the ‘audience’ would be satisfied with the kind of life I’ve lived.
𝟏𝟕. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧, 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬? I’ve only had it a couple of times and my position on the matter is of indifference. What’s all the fuss about?!
1𝟖. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬? Learning further to appreciate my own individual existence and getting more comfortable with existing alone. I am enough to sustain my own mind, my own creativity, my own development. Although, of course, I also now have an increased appreciation for the significance of relationships. But it’s important to be able to befriend yourself. I’m not sure if I was all that good at it before but I definitely have improved now. So I’d like to introduce you all to my new best friend. Me! He can be annoying but he’ll do for now…
𝟏𝟗. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? I have always been captivated by the idea of anonymity. Not a huge fan of attention. I’d like to pass through the world doing what I love without necessarily being under the words observation. So perhaps no name. After all, ‘What's in a name?’.
𝟐𝟎. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦? I’d tell them things will get better. I’d tell them to embrace all the things that come their way. That all that they are going through is going to power them to be a better person. And that I’m proud of the fight in them.
𝟐𝟏. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞? Simply to leave as I came without having taken anything away. Without harming anything. Without changing anything for the worse. Without causing pain or dismay. Anything on top of that is just a plus.
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Really great questions there Ruaidhri...and fab, interesting answers Rehan - thank you for being our mystery guest artist this evening.
Here is a synopsis of Rehan's journey with the Hub
I was first introduced to Rehan Ali by Fóroige NYP, Carrick on Suir Project Leader Anne Howard in 2013 - we were seeking local creative youth to work on a funky white goods Art Installation project for the Art Trail (a year before the Hub opened its doors)...and Rehan then 14 was one of the amazingly creative students who came on board...and had a lot of fun working on this off the wall project...and we stayed in touch ever since...
In 2014, when we opened our doors Rehan joined the Hub collective as an artist, crafting superb chocolates with friends Peter and Patrick - an enterprising project through Foroige, at that time Rehan expressed an interest in journalism and became involved in writing many articles for local press and well as lending a hand with the operation of the hub and other projects...
Through Foroige Rehan was involved in 2 filming projects 'Forever Now' where he had a small casting part and 'Life Unlimited' which he was involved in directing...and in 2015 Rehan was involved in writing and in the making of a quirky mixed media film 'Friday the 18th'..these opportunities ignited his interest in film-making..and he was very eager to learn more...and take on more..
In late Summer 2015 Rehan relocated with his Family to Co.Cork but continued to collaborate with the Hub on several projects.
In 2016, we had an opportunity to produce our first short film 'Torn' - which tells the story of a family in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, during the time of the 1916 Rising ...this short was written and directed by young film makers Patrice Cooney and Rehan Ali. Produced as part of the 1916 Centenary Commemorations, this short film sheds light on the political and social divisions of the time and their effects on family and community life. This was Rehan's and Patrice first time having full control with the making of a film, including the editing process - though daunting at first they both proved that they were well up for the task. The screenings were very well received and the following year we went on to produce our first DVD from this film - it was all so exciting.
In Summer 2017, Rehan went on to write and direct his first solo short 'Soles' featuring lead actress Aileen O'Keeffe, actor Will McLellan and voice acting by Anne Howard. 'Soles' is a psychological thriller short that sees a young actress entering the world of theatre only to crumble into that very universe...this was another brilliant production, supported by Culture Night partners and showcased so many of Rehan's skills as an emerging filmmaker.
Autumn 2017, Rehan began his 3rd level education studying Neuroscience in UCC.
Summer 2018, we went on to produce our first mini series 'If Anyone Ask' - this series explores the strange disappearance of an artist and the lengths that people will go to in order to conceal the truth. Who is being protected? Who knows the truth? This short film mini-series was an extraordinary ambitious undertaking coordinated by Hub in collaboration with Writing Changes Lives, in which 5 writers, 2 young emerging film-makers, 16+ cast, a professional artist, acting directer and production team worked together to bring this from idea to screen for Culture Night 2018...in the making of this film, Rehan and co- director Patrice were really thrown in at the deep end working with a large team of artists, against next to impossible timelines and a very tight budget...Rehan was tasked to write the last chapter to bring the film to a conclusion...and miraculously made it happen...Patrice took the lead with the editing...what this amazing duo achieved with a brilliant team behind them was astonishing...
Summer 2019, Rehan was one of the chosen emerging writers for inclusion in 'Correspondences' a special once-off anthology which calls for an end to direct provision ...this collaborative arts project was initiated by poet Jessica Traynor and actor Stephen Rea. Rehan's inspiring powerful piece is titled 'What's in a name'. Established Irish Writer Ian Maleney has responded to Rehan's work...in this special anthology. Creative writer Margaret O'Brien, Writing Changes Lives set this opportunity in motion for Rehan and supported him with his submission and his success. This opportunity somewhat propelled Rehan into the media spotlight - he was an invited guest on TV, Radio, Book Festivals, UCC and in his Secondary School in Carrick on Suir and took it all in his stride.
Spring 2020...during the first lockdown, Rehan co-founded Project42 - which is a community arts initiative created by the Tudor Artisan Hub during the global Covid-19 pandemic, to provide a means for friends of the Arts to help support and promote local artists during this unprecedented chapter... Project42 is hosted on 'Patreon', which is an American crowdfunding membership platform that provides business tools designed for Creators to run a 'subscription content service', innovative ways for Artists to build relationships with their supporters and provide exclusive experiences to their subscribers, or 'patrons'....to learn more about this project click here www.patreon.com/join/project42
Later in 2020, shortly after he began his final year in Neuroscience - Rehan was one of eight UCC students awarded the prestigious title of 'Puttnam Scholar'. The Puttnam Scholarship programme offers final year and postgraduate UCC students from any discipline demonstrating an exceptional level of academic excellence an opportunity to work with and learn from digital education pioneer Lord David Puttnam Oscar-winning producer of films including Chariots of Fire, The Mission, The Killing Fields, and Midnight Express. The scholars come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds.The selected students become Puttnam Scholars for a period of one academic year. During the year they will work together on a team project and will be required to attend a series of 6 video conference mentoring and coaching sessions with Lord Puttnam. Puttnam and jointly produce a short film which they will screen as part of a presentation to Lord Puttnam and invited guests at the end of the academic year. Rehan is a co-writer on the team.
Just this week January 2021, Rehan received a call to say his film script pitch idea was one of 10 out of over 600 shortlisted for Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition in Association with Screen Ireland. Another prestigious opportunity for his film-making portfolio!
This is just a small synopsis of all Rehan's amazing creative achievements to date...We are immensely proud of Rehan at the age of just 22...of all of his accomplishments in Arts, Science and life in general and we are glad to have played a small part in his incredible journey.
I want to take this opportunity to also thank Margaret O Brien, Pete Smith, Jane O' Driscoll and all the actors, writers, musicians, artists, acting coaches, film production team, technical support team, historians, Brewery Lane Theatre, The Strand Theatre - Musical Society, Nano Nagle Community Centre, our friends, families and the Community for all their support with all our film-making ventures...we could not have achieved all we achieved without you at our side jumping in to support us each step of the way.
And to Rehan thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents so generously with us all over the years and being part of our journey...thank you for your great friendship and all your support...so looking forward to working on more exciting projects in the future...if we can afford you!
The very best of luck from us all here in your final year Neuroscience UCC and the 2 exciting film adventures on the table...
(I was given a limit on photos!)
.. please stay safe, stay positive and stay creative!...