Director's Works
Amble, Tonnta Donnagh Fitzpatrick
Donnagh Fitzpatrick is an Irish director with a bold, cinematic vision that spans music videos, short films, and visual storytelling. With his debut films Tiger Tiger and Turf premiering at Cannes, Donnagh quickly gained industry attention for his emotionally driven, visually immersive work. His music video for Amble’s 'Lonely Island' and 'Tonnta', starring the renowned Irish actor Laurence Kinlan, won multiple awards including ‘Best Music Video’ and 'Best Director' across prestigious festivals. Donnagh’s recent project, The Sailor & The Saint, a visually stunning reimagining of the Bonnie and Clyde story, has been praised for its innovative and fresh approach to classic narrative themes. A director known for pushing creative boundaries, Donnagh has also gained recognition for his short film script 'I Don’t Dance', which won the YDA Silver Screen Award at the 2023 Cannes Lions. His diverse body of work has been featured in major publications and festivals including Scanning, Beyond The Short, Hot Press, and Wonderland. Currently, Donnagh is in early pre-production on multiple film projects, continuing to expand his vision in both music video and long-form film.
Tonnta is a personal and intimate exploration of familial bonds and nostalgia. Inspired by the simplicity of childhood holidays, this music video captures the essence of a father-daughter connection rekindled over a single weekend by the sea. The choice to set the video against the Irish coastline was intentional, creating a visual metaphor for the ebb and flow of their relationship—a natural, sometimes turbulent rhythm of closeness and distance that echoes the song’s emotional journey. ‘Tonnta’ is the Irish word for ‘waves’. At its core, Tonnta is a story about reconnection. By portraying a father who doesn’t have full-time custody of his daughter, the video explores themes of separation, vulnerability, and renewal within a family dynamic. I wanted to convey the bittersweet reality of their relationship—the fleeting but meaningful interactions that define their time together. The video illustrates the push-pull of their bond, oscillating between awkward, unfamiliar moments and genuine moments of joy, laughter, and love. Visually, Tonnta adopts a mixed-media approach, using both cinematic and handheld camcorder-style footage. This juxtaposition was essential to my vision, as it brings a raw, home-movie authenticity to the film, evoking the memories of family trips, snapshots of seemingly insignificant moments that later prove to be profound. The camcorder effect offers a nostalgic nod to the tactile memories of youth, making viewers feel as though they’re flipping through an old family album. The casting of Laurence Kinlan as the father brings a grounded yet complex presence to the role. His dynamic with the young actress, Doireann McNally, mirrors the tentative warmth of family members who love each other deeply yet navigate distance and unfamiliarity. This relationship was handled delicately to showcase both the tenderness and the unspoken emotional depth between them. The father-daughter bond grows through shared moments—a seaside swim, shared arcade games, and small gestures of trust—that build from silence into a comfort and joy that feels deeply rooted and real. Each scene in Tonnta is designed to amplify the emotional resonance of the story. From the colour palette to the atmospheric natural light, we chose every visual element to support the sense of intimacy. The pacing of the film shifts into a livelier rhythm as their bond strengthens, capturing the essence of family connection in its purest, unadorned form. This combination of cinematic and raw handheld footage enhances the authenticity and draws viewers into the experience of both memory and present moment. Tonnta invites audiences to reflect on the quiet, powerful impact of small family moments. It’s a story about finding connection in ordinary settings, reminding us of the value of the little things: a shared laugh, a swim in the sea, an unplanned moment of bonding. By weaving together personal memory with universal themes, Tonnta offers a poignant look at how brief reunions can shape and restore relationships, carrying echoes of nostalgia and hope that stay with us long after the moment has passed.