By: Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/17/2024 – At one time or another, we have all experienced loneliness, and it’s not an overstatement to say it can profoundly affect your overall being. The loneliness epidemic is a major concern, and has been linked to high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, stroke, and more.
Studies have shown loneliness is more common in those who face structural vulnerabilities, including homelessness. It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and as more people are forced to immigrate, the solutions are not forthcoming, and people are forced to do whatever they can to find some security.
Themes of loneliness, grief, and the immigrant experience are the subject of “Room Taken,” a short film directed by T.J. O’Grady-Peyton is adapted from a screenplay by first-time writer Michael Whelan. The story follows Isaac, a recent immigrant to Ireland, who, struggling to find accommodations, quietly moves into the home of Victoria, an elderly blind woman. Their unexpected cohabitation leads to the development of a unique and tender bond.
O’Grady-Peyton sat down with The Hollywood Times for an exclusive chat about his film. O’Grady-Peyton and Whelan met on a commercial shoot a couple of years ago, and the pair were inspired to collaborate on a project when Whelan sent O’Grady-Peyton sent his first attempt at screenwriting, the director liked what he saw. “I remember reading it and feeling super moved by the story, O’Grady-Peyton said. I really felt moved by it and I was totally convinced that this would be a great project and something that had a really unique concept.’
Click below for our exclusive interview
Indeed, the questions of homelessness among recent immigrants to Ireland made the story a hot-button issue. In addition, personal events in the director’s and writer’s lives introduced an aspect of grief. The duo went looking for funding for the project, and once that was secured, they were off on what O’Grady-Peyton called, “a crazy kind of journey” to bring the film to an audience.
“Room Taken” stars Bríd Brennan (Hope Street) as Victoria, the blind woman, alongside newcomer Gabriel Adewusi’s portrayal of Issac, the homeless immigrant who just needs a break to make it in his new country.
“Room Taken” has garnered significant recognition, earning a spot on the Oscars longlist after winning Best Short at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival and receiving a gold medal for Best Film at the Manhattan Short Film Festival.
O’Grady-Peyton’s previous works include IFTA award-winning short film “Wave” as well as 2021’s “Silence,” which was nominated for an IFTA.
Colmán Mac Cionnaith (Supergirl) is the film’s producer, and the list of executive producers includes actor Colin Ferrell, along with Cormack Fox, Sandro Monetti, Christopher Oakland, Emma Scott and David Treatman.
Speaking with Variety, Farrell said, “Room Taken is such a gentle cry to the power of human connection. It treats loneliness and grief and the struggle of the immigrant with such a gentle hand, bringing its character and narrative threads together beautifully.”
Farrell said the film “wears its compassion – along with its heart – on its sleeve with tender performances. The story stayed with me long after viewing, I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of helping ‘Room Taken’ find as wide an audience as possible.”
