Cloughduv nuns story is on film

By Kieran O’ Mahony

A CORK filmmaker is hoping to secure crowdfunding so that he can complete post-production on the life of a missionary nun from Cloughduv. 

Thanks to your Noble Shadow is about Sr Paschal O’Sullivan, one of Ireland’s last missionary nuns and is the brainchild of James Creedon, originally from Bishopstown but now living in Paris.

‘As a Catholic missionary with the Infant Sister Order, Jennie O’Sullivan (Sr Paschal) left Ireland in 1935 and spent the following 75 years in Tokyo where she taught at one of Japan’s most prestigious girls schools’ said James, who works as a correspondent for news channel France 24.

‘The documentary is an intimate portrayal of her life and she speaks of her youth and joining the missions, the difficulties of adapting to life in a foreign land and living through the war in four different camps. The story is intended to honour her and in particular the close bond she had with her past pupils, many of whom are interviewed.’

In 2010 Sr Paschal, then 98, returned home to Ireland. Following her 100th birthday, James, who is a cousin of hers, became interested in her life and experiences and decided that they should be preserved. 

Based on more than 60 hours of interviews with her before she died, James is now ready for the world to see the finished documentary.

‘The film is edited and ready for screening but I’m looking for €40,000 for funding past costs and paying for post-production so that the film can be distributed, entered into film festivals worldwide and broadcast on television. My crowd-funding page is set to expire at the end of this month.’  To support the movie, search for ‘Thanks to Your Noble Shadow’ on www.indiegogo.com.