This interview recorded for the BEHP by Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive www.digitalfilmarchive.net
Born in 1951 in Dublin, Ireland. Wikipedia+2The Irish Times+2
Studied art and film: • Ulster College of Art and Design Wikipedia+2irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2 • BA in Fine Art at Hornsey College of Art (London) Wikipedia+1 • MA in Film & Television from the Royal College of Art, London Wikipedia+2irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2
In 1977, as part of her development, she was awarded a scholarship year at the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program (New York), being the first European to do so. Wikipedia+2The Irish Times+2
First Short Film: Rituals of Memory (1977) while at RCA. Wikipedia+2irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2
Feature Films:
Maeve (1981) – experimental / feminist film. It was co-directed with John Davies but generally attributed to Pat Murphy. It was funded by the British Film Institute and is often cited as Ireland’s first bona fide feminist film. irishartistsfilmindex.ie+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3
Anne Devlin (1984) – a historical film based on 19th-century Irish figure Anne Devlin. Wikipedia+1
Nora (2000) – about Nora Barnacle (James Joyce’s partner), starring Susan Lynch and Ewan McGregor. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Other Works & Roles:
Documentaries and installational work: Sean MacBride Remembers, film installation for the Strokestown Famine Museum, The Muybridge Solo, What Mira Saw, This is Us We’re Talking About… irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2Wikipedia+2
Theatre / Fine Art contributions: Curated film programmes, involvement with museums (Irish Museum of Modern Art, Irish Film Institute), installation art. irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2Aosdána+2
Strong feminist perspective: her films often explore women’s place in history, collective memory, identity, and how story / representation intersects with politics. Wikipedia+2The Irish Times+2
Experimental, non-linear narrative style especially in Maeve; an interest in memory, history, and the personal versus collective past. The Irish Times+1
Influenced by academic / theoretical frameworks: studied under feminist theorist Laura Mulvey at RCA. Wikipedia+1
Murphy has taught film / film history / film studies in various institutions, including Queens University Belfast. openjournals.uwaterloo.ca+2Wikipedia+2
Member of Aosdána, the Irish association of artists, recognizing notable contribution in the arts. Wikipedia+2irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2
Her films Maeve, Anne Devlin, Nora have achieved international festival exposure and awards. Wikipedia+2irishartistsfilmindex.ie+2
