Last week we reported how a movie with a strong Roscommon connection soared to the ‘top of the charts’ on Netflix, quickly becoming the most-watched English language film on the platform (both in the US and globally).
Supervisor of Visual Effects on ‘Rebel Ridge’ is Chris Connolly, son of Roscommon town native Sean Connolly, who grew up in Abbey Street. A frequent visitor here, Chris was last in Roscommon in June 2024.
‘Rebel Ridge’ follows an ex-US-Marine who must grapple his way through a web of small-town corruption when an attempt to post bail for his cousin escalates into a violent stand-off with the local police chief.
Speaking to the Roscommon People, Chris described the film’s success as “very exciting”.
“We couldn’t be happier that the film is finding its audience. I hope people continue to check it out and enjoy it”.
When asked whether he’d anticipated the project’s success while working on it, Chris commented: “I think you can have an inkling of when a project might be good, but filmmaking is a huge collaboration and can face many hurdles along the way.
“I really liked the script, and I’ve known and worked with the director Jeremy Saulnier for many years”, he said. “So I knew we had a great start, and the cast and crew brought a lot of talent together for the shoot.
“When we put the finishing touches on the final version of the film, I think the entire team was happy with the result”, he commented. “Although we still had to wait for Netflix to release it and keep our fingers crossed”.
When asked what draws him to certain projects as a visual effects artist, Chris responded, “Overall, I want to help create good films with people I enjoy working with.
“It often starts with reading the script, and seeing if the story is compelling”, he said. “If that lines up with some filmmakers that I like or would like to work with, then it definitely piques my interest.
He also added: “From a visual effects standpoint, I also put some thought into how my work might be able to help tell the story of the film. Visual effects can range from anything like ‘painting out the reflection of a crew member in a mirror’ to ‘riding a dragon flying through the sky’. So, if I can creatively help tell the story, it becomes a more interesting prospect for me”.
Chris also touched on his positive associations with Ireland and Roscommon while speaking to the People.
“We used to visit Ireland every summer when I was a kid, and I have very fond memories of Roscommon. Staying at my grandparents’ house, I enjoyed playing with my cousins and spending time with family.
“Of course we’d visit the Castle and Old Abbey, both of which were very exciting to a kid growing up in the US as we don’t have castles over here and they felt like the stuff of myth and legend. I remember running down to the shop in the mornings for the paper and buying ice cream at Eight til’ Late”, he recounted.
“Funny enough”, he added, “as a kid I also used to put on an Irish accent, as I wanted to fit right in and not come across looking like a tourist! It was a fun holiday that I looked forward to every summer”.
He also spoke about visiting Roscommon this summer along with his father, mother, sister, and nephew.
“We spent a little over four weeks in Ireland, maybe about half of that time in Roscommon. We had a great time visiting with family and spending time in town. We enjoyed walks in Mote Park and around the Castle, strolls down Main Street, and more than a few trips to Molloy’s Bakery. It’s interesting to see what’s changed and what has stayed the same.
“I’d say I’m now the same age my father was during some of my childhood trips. So these days I’m the one who grabs the heavy suitcases and drives back in the evening after a long day on the road. I don’t try to speak in an Irish accent anymore, but every once in a while it subconsciously slips into a conversation… I think mostly attached to one Irish idiom or another.
“I love spending time in Ireland”, Chris told the Roscommon People. “Having dual citizenship, I’m always tempted to stay a little longer whenever I visit”.
Chris mentioned that he had the chance to work on a film in Ireland in 2018 called ‘Don’t Leave Home’. “I really enjoyed it, and the Irish film crew was really fantastic. So I like to keep an eye out for another project that might shoot there in the future”.
After ‘Rebel Ridge’, Chris said he is “currently enjoying some time off and dabbling in some side projects” while he has the time. “I’ve had a couple of early conversations about some possible projects, but nothing beyond that yet”.
When asked if he has any plans for another visit to Roscommon soon, Chris told the People: “At the moment I don’t have any tickets booked, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I hop over there again next summer or at some point during the year!”
