"Tom Mathews, Close-Up" is a feature-length documentary that I started working on by myself in 2022, and finalised in 2024. I produced, shot, and edited it the way a one-man army would.
The idea was to create a candid, cinematic portrait of one of Ireland's most beloved cartoonists, poet, writer, theatre critic, painter, all around multi-layered artist, and one of the last true Dublin bohemians — Tom Mathews — as he reached 70.
The poster for "Tom Mathews, Close-Up".
Premiering at the IndieCork Film Festival, 12th October 2024, The Arc Cinema, Cork, Ireland.
The film features a plethora of artists, musicians, cartoonists, journalists, comedians, and poets, that enliven the Dublin and Galway art scenes. Among the names: Robert Ballagh, Sé Merry Doyle, Hugh Friel, Liam Delaney, Jim Cogan, Karl MacDermott, John Moynes, James C. Harrold, Dean Patterson, Caoimhe LaVelle, Margaret Nolan, and others.
In many ways it is a film about a world on its way out — that of the bohemian Dublin artist — about an artform on its way out (cartooning) — about death in general, as well as the death of printed press.
Cartoonist Tom Mathews (foreground), poet/comedian John Moynes (background).
The indomitable Tom Mathews.
The pensive and melancholic Tom Mathews.
The jovial Tom Mathews.
The eclipsing Tom Mathews.
Filmmaker Sé Merry Doyle and painter Robert Ballagh also featured, making it a unique frame of all three artists together.
Tom Mathews, the friend.
Featuring beloved cartoonist Jim Cogan!
Tom Mathews, the bookworm.
Rock'n'roll Tom.
Featuring genius painter Liam Delaney.
'Howling-at-the-moon' Tom (with historian Fergus Whelan.)
In memoriam Hughie Friel.
R.i.P. founder and drummer for legendary Dublin band The Atrix — Hugh Friel.