Oscar-nominated film company made 'Omagh' in Navan

Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe were producers of TV movie in 2004

Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, the makers of Academy Award nominated movie, 'Poor Things', were part of the production team of the film' 'Omagh', made in Navan some 20 years ago, along with Kells native Arthur Lappin.

The Channel 4 drama, based on the horrific bombing of 1998 in the Co Tyrone town, was filmed on Watergate Street in Navan, chosen because of its physical resemblance to the Market Street in the northern town which was bombed. Other streets around the town are also obvious in the film, including Kennedy Road, Circular Road and Flowerhill.

Shooting took place over five days in January 2004. The film was co-produced and written by Paul Greengrass, whose previous film 'Bloody Sunday' starring James Nesbitt, won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Ed Guiney of Element Films produced, and Andrew Lowe, also from Element, and Arthur Lappin (Hell's Kitchen) were executive producers. The film was directed by Pete Travis, and examines the events of 15th August 1998, the lead up to that day and the lasting aftermath felt by the bereft families of the 29 victims. It is based on one family, the Gallaghers, who lost a son in the bombing, and was financed by the Irish Film Board, RTE and Channel 4.

Based on first-hand research and with the full co-operation and consultation of the families involved, the drama chronicles the unresolved search for the perpetrators of the bombing and the persistent lobbying of the governments of both countries by the families, whose need for a full and honest examination of the tragedy has never been met.

Gerard McSorley plays Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son, Aidan, in the explosion and who became a key spokesman and lobbyist for the victim's families. One scene shows him kneeling on Watergate Street in the dark of night, with the Christmas lights in place.

The production company was Tiger Aspect, famous for TV dramas such as, amongst others, 'Teachers', 'Bodily Harm', 'Murphy's Law' and 'Murder'. The Irish producers were Hell's Kitchen International.

"Omagh will tell the story from the families' point of view, portraying their personal battle for justice," Channel 4's Head of Drama, John Yorke, explained at the time.

"This is a hugely exciting landmark production for Channel 4, reflecting our belief in drama's ability to ask powerful and provocative political questions," he continued. "The drama will act as a bookend to Paul Greengrass's humane and pertinent examination of the Irish situation."

Also responsible for 'Normal People', directed by long term collaborator, Lenny Abrahamson, which shot Paul Mescal to fame, and 'Conversations with Friends', also by Sally Rooney, Element Pictures is an award-winning film and television production company run by Guiney and Lowe, with offices in Dublin, London and Belfast.

Other well-known films include 'Adam and Paul' in 2004 and 'The Guard' (2011), 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' with Barry Keogan in 2017, and 'A Date for Mad Mary' directed by Darren Thornton from Drogheda, in 2016.

In 2015, they were nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for 'The Lobster', while Abrahamson's 'Room' was up for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, and Best Achievement in Directing, with Brie Larson winning Best Actress as the film's lead. In 2019, 'The Favourite' was nominated in 10 categories.

Poor Things is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara, based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray. Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and Jerrod Carmichael, it focuses on Bella Baxter, a young woman in Victorian London who is resurrected via a brain transplant and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery.

Poor Things premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in September, where it won the Golden Lion. It received five wins at the 77th British Academy Film Awards, and is nominated in 11 categories at Sunday night's 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It also won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Stone.