A documentary produced by Skibereen’s Adrian McCarthy, Born That Way, will screen at The Arc Cinema in Cork City this coming weekend, from December 5th to 7th.

The documentary won Best Irish Documentary at the Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards earlier this year, and follows the story of Patrick Lydon and his wife Gladys and their lifelong commitment to the Camphill Movement.

Directed by Éamon Little, this film explores alternative ways of living together and raises questions about care, community, and sustainability.

Patrick Lydon’s profound belief is captured, in the final year of his life, as he reflects on an extraordinary life that took him from a budding career in rock journalism in America to trailblazing in Ireland with his wife, and the development of the radically inclusive Camphill Movement.

Camphill communities serve individuals with special needs, and bring together coworkers (long and short-term service volunteers) and individuals with developmental disabilities in therapeutic communities that foster mutual respect and human dignity.

Through family involvement with Camphill, director Éamon Little (co-writer of That They May Face the Rising Sun) was a long-time friend of Patrick and Gladys Lydon. 

Given intimate access throughout Patrick’s final illness, this tender, provocative love story celebrates community spirit, disability, inclusion and otherness.