The documentary It’s Not Yet Dark centers on Simon Fitzmaurice, a young Irish filmmaker who, despite a diagnosis of motor neuron disease, directed a feature film solely through the use of his eyes. Narrated by Colin Farrell, the doc — from which The Hollywood Reporter previews an exclusive clip — makes its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
“He’s a pretty extraordinary human being,” Farrell tells THR of Fitzmaurice, whom he met a few years ago. “The worlds he can create through his imagination, I found that use of language apparent even in our first emails. Even though the situation is seemingly insurmountable, what he’s achieved in the last five years, creatively, is unbelievable.”
Completely paralyzed, the filmmaker initially was given three years live, but went on to pen a memoir, and write and helm My Name Is Emily (out Feb. 17) using eye gaze computer software.
“He’s very brutally honest about his struggles and capabilities, but his limitations are only physical,” explains Farrell, adding that his supportive family is ever-present in the doc. “There’s so much life inside this man just fighting to get out and be expressed.”
