With John McCarthy & Ian Hart, Blind Flight.
Every once in a while a script comes along that any actor would die for. Johnny Furse wrote such a script. Sometimes this isn’t enough to get a film made. It also needs talent, dedication, perseverance. Johnny got his film made. His sensitivity to the acting process gives you the creative freedom you need.
Ian Hart, actor, Blind Flight, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, Land And Freedom, Liam, The End Of The Affair, Backbeat
With Linus Roache, Blind Flight.
Photo by Paul Chedlow © Paul Chedlow / Parallax Independent.
I thought you did such a wonderful job on Blind Flight in every area, but most particularly in getting such fantastic performances from both the actors. I know they both loved being directed by you and were rewarded with some wonderful reviews. Celestia Fox, casting director Blind Flight, The Pianist, Iris, Lock Stock &Two Smoking Barrels, Howard’s End, The Madness Of King George
With Gail Bettinson, Looks That Kill.
John was very kind and gentle to work with and although he works very quickly he always pays meticulous attention to important detail. He has a very creative, thoughtful mind and great empathy towards all people involved with the often distressing circumstances he tackles and succeeds to capture on film. Filming Looks That Kill became a major part of my therapy experience and he has become a close friend. Gail Bettinson, Body Dysmorphic Disorder sufferer, Looks That Kill
With Brian Keenan, author of An Evil Cradling, former Beirut hostage, 1992. Photo by Caroline Forbes © Caroline Forbes.
I’d written extensively of the hostage experience and editorial control had always been key. But making a film, even though I was immersed fully in developing the screenplay, was very different. At some point I would have to let Johnny Furse go away and make the film. My life, my humiliations, my weaknesses and strengths were going to be portrayed in living colour,for all the world to see. I couldn’t have let it happen if I hadn’t had complete trust in Johnny. The writing process and the lengthy development had seen a strong friendship grow, so trust was there. And I trusted his creative instinct. He’d taught me the basics of screenwriting, the need for narrative flow and shape, and I knew he wanted to tell our story, not one of his own. The process was one of sharing – from the early script meetings through to meeting Linus (Roache) and Ian (Hart) with Johnny before they went off on location. The trust paid off.John McCarthy, writer, broadcaster, author with Jill Morrell of Some Other Rainbow, and former Beirut hostageThere have been a few film making experiences that I will always be proud to be part of and Blind Flight is definitely one of those. Johnny Furse gave his heart and soul to the project and cared about every word and every moment. He took the journey of John (McCarthy) and Brian (Keenan) into his being and yet he trusted so completely in the creative process that he generously gave every moment away to be reclaimed by everyone who collaborated on the movie. I will always be grateful to Johnny for his relentless pursuit of a vision and his willingness to give all of himself to its realization. That to me is the definition of what a true artist really is. And he's a good laugh too! LINUS ROACHE, ACTOR, BLIND FLIGHT, FIND ME GUILTY, BATMAN BEGINS, THE GATHERING STORM, RFK, PRIEST, THE WINGS OF THE DOVEJohn’s tenacity, skill and sheer hard work resulted finally in a wonderful film (Blind Flight). The powerful and convincing performances of Ian Hart and Linus Roache are testimony to the strength of John’s script and his directing skills. John has the vision as a filmmaker and the necessary balance between producer on the one hand and writer/director on the other to deserve the strongest support. Luke Randolph, executive producer Blind Flight, managing director of International Film Guarantors, LondonI have worked closely with John for over a year and have been surprised and delighted at his sensitivity and intuition. He ‘got’ the story better than almost anyone I have worked with and his focus was always on the accuracy of his portrayal and loyalty towards the authors. His subtle use of imagery expanded the drama into another dimension while remaining true to the real events. I consider him a friend now.Dr Robin Royston, psychotherapist, book co-author Out Of The DarkJohn Furse has worked on several projects at the Medical Foundation For The Care Of Victims Of Torture, the most notable of which was the half-hour BBC documentary film Helen Bamber - On the Trail Of Torture, about its founder/director. Throughout his dealings with the Foundation John showed an acute awareness of the sensitivities involved in interviewing people who had suffered extreme human rights abuses. John's scriptwriting also displayed a keen grasp of the complexities of treating torture victims, and the various political contexts in which such suffering occurs. His respect for the work of the Medical Foundation played a large part in kindling the trust between film maker and the charity's staff and clients that was necessary to give him the special access needed to make the documentary possible.ANDREW HOGG, NEWS/CAMPAIGNS EDITOR CHRISTIAN AID, FORMER HEAD OF MEDIA THE MEDICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE CARE OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE Thank you so much for the integrity with which you have approached my very personal story. The way you have kept me 'up to speed' with the re-writes, feedback, and other developments, has really given me peace of mind. It is a pleasure to work with you.Linda Caine, former ‘buried memory’ sufferer, book co-author Out Of The Dark’
A week with the mentors like John Furse at Moonstone was worth a year of development on one’s own. I wanted to raise the bar with my writing and sought John as my script editor for my film Absolute. He made me realise the importance of the subconscious in cinema. Realising that it’s often more important what characters don’t say to each other has been a fundamental lesson for me. Alan de Pellette, Moonstone Film Labs 05 student, TV and film writer/directorIt's still quite tough to watch but, wow, I'm so proud of myself, Darren and my whole family for doing this. I'm not sure how they all managed to put themselves out there so much for me and for us to do this. It's so raw and real. I see why it hit so many people so strongly. You are an incredible film maker, John. You hand picked the most wonderful team and treated us all with such tenderness and respect. I am forever grateful, my dear friend. GAIL SPENCER, BODY DYSMORPHIC SUFFERER, Looks That Kill (November 14th, 2021)