Director's Works
Charles James & The Rise, The Sailor & The Saint 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.
In Sailor & The Saint, I wanted to take the iconic Bonnie and Clyde story and breathe new life into it by moving it from the 1920s to the 1960s. This shift let us explore the raw intensity of biker culture—leather jackets, denim, and an unpolished edge that brings out the rebellious energy of the time. By rooting the story in this era, I aimed to capture the tension between freedom and consequence, making Bonnie and Clyde feel more human, grounded, and passionate in a way that goes beyond myth. What sets this take apart is its focus on the couple’s safe house, a space that feels both intimate and dangerous. We crafted this physical world carefully to amplify their connection and the mounting tension. This home is both a refuge and a trap, where we see Bonnie and Clyde in their most vulnerable and fearless moments. To tell this dual-layered story, we used contrasting visual styles: in the black-and-white past scenes, we captured their intimate, carefree moments, evoking a grainy, nostalgic quality that feels like treasured memories. In stark contrast, the present-day scenes are drenched in bold, neon lighting, imagined as a new film style for the ‘60s—saturated colours that intensify the reality and chaos of their lives, amplifying the urgency as Clyde returns wounded and their gang debates revenge. Creating this world on a shoestring budget was a rewarding challenge, pushing us to be resourceful in every detail. We paid close attention to costume design, capturing the rugged, rebellious spirit of the ‘60s with leather and bloodstained denim that reflect both the couple’s style and the weight of their choices. From set pieces to lighting, every element was crafted to feel immersive and gritty, but also to feel like we were telling a familiar story from a fresh angle - pulling viewers deeper into the story’s emotional stakes. Sailor & The Saint is a reimagined Bonnie and Clyde—a tale of love caught between tenderness and danger. It’s about the magnetic draw of a life lived on the edge, with visuals and emotions designed to pull viewers into every charged, fragile, and suspenseful moment.