Rent Barbaric Genius (2011)
3.8 of 5 from 48 ratings
1h 14min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
In the early '90s, writer John Healy was a star, on international TV, in the national press, constantly being interviewed about his first book, 'The Grass Arena'. He wasn't just another award-winning author though. He had a history of violence. And it seemed destined to follow him. The son of Irish immigrants, Healy lived rough on the streets of London for 15 years, fighting and stealing to survive; a slave to alcohol. During a stint in prison he discovered chess which became his new addiction. He became a rated chess player and a famous writer, for a time the darling of the British media. Then he disappeared. Stories emerged to fill the vacuum, dark stories: he'd made threats of awful violence towards his publishers, he was mentally ill, he was a psychopath. 'Barbaric Genius' meets John as he's about to make a comeback after nearly 20 years, launched once more on the world stage, with the likes of Irvine Welsh and Daniel Day-Lewis as his cheerleaders. Having been savaged once by the media and the literary world, how will he deal with success second time around, and the inevitable digging-up of his violent past that comes with it? - Actors:
- Frank Boyle, Dick Fitzgerald, John Healy, Megan Larkin, Robert McCrum
- Directors:
- Paul Duane
- Producers:
- Mary Carson, Paul Duane
- Studio:
- Wildcard Distribution
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Documentary, Special Interest
- Countries:
- Ireland
