SC.03 Featured
Punt
During the 1994 World Cup, a heartbroken widow returns to the island of her happiest memories to end her life, until an empty pay-as-you-go meter sparks a coin hunt, and an unlikely bet: Ireland to qualify. Written and directed by Nicky Larkin, produced by Alanna Riddell Bond, and screened at the Galway Film Fleadh, Belfast Film Festival, Cork International Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival.
Heaven Knows
A star-crossed tragedy set in 1980s rural Donegal, where a Catholic girl's forbidden romance with a Protestant boy collides with her brother's hunt for their parents' killer. Olivia was the sole screenwriter, and across a five-day shoot also script-supervised, dialect-coached the cast, and ran the casting sessions.
HEAVEN KNOWS
Written by Olivia Coughlan
Graduate Film · University of Hertfordshire
EXT. ABANDONED BARN - DAY
LORNA (17) is looking distressed, running through the Irish countryside. She is a young woman with fair skin and dark hair, dressed in all black.
She stops to catch her breath and looks up to see a derelict barn. As she hears the faint sound of acoustic guitar music coming from inside, she slowly approaches and heads in the direction of the building.
LORNA walks towards the door into the barn, there is a rusty red 135 Massey Ferguson tractor but there is no one to be seen.
She walks past the tractor to the large closed barn doors, she opens them and pauses to hear where the music is coming from again.
The echo of the voice is heard again.
LUKE
(Singing)
Ever since the carpenter left Ireland
The timberman stopped cutting down his trees
He left a note to hang a sign
Said you're living here on borrowed time
But that's time enough for me
And oh I hear the rolling sound of thunder,
I taste a bitter turmoil on the breeze-
LORNA walks out of the barn she was in.
As the sound of LUKE's muffled singing grows louder, LORNA walks a little closer to the stairs.
The barn doors shut behind her but make a loud clatter, causing LUKE to walk out, he opens the door and stands there looking around.
LUKE
(Timidly)
Who's ther?
LORNA
Wow, um, so sorry, I herd ye singing and em it-it's such a pretty tune-
LUKE
Thank you, who-who are you?
LORNA
Lorna, what's yers?
LUKE
Luke, d'ya wanna come in?
LORNA
Aye
LORNA walks up the stairs into the loft and stands awkwardly opposite him, with a beam dividing her and LUKE.
LUKE
No one really likes my music but my mammy, she lives on that old folk shite.
LORNA
Aye my parents always sing- I mean sang it on a Sunday evenin. I didn't recognise the tuen ye were singin though?
LUKE
It's mine-d'ya sing?
LUKE smiles at LORNA and begins to strum again.
LUKE (CONT'D)
Go on, give it a shot.
LORNA takes a deep breath and looks at LUKE as she begins to sing.
LORNA
(Singing)
And oh I hear the rolling sound of thunder, I taste a bitter erm-
LUKE (CONT'D)
(Singing)
Turmoil on the breeze
LORNA smiles brightly and gazes into LUKE's eyes as he continues to play. He stops strumming and smiles proudly at LORNA.
LUKE
You're an unreal singer.
LORNA is about to speak but she spots the protestant flag pin on LUKE's jacket and her face drops.
LORNA
Shite, I'm so late, I-I'm really sorry I got to go I-
LUKE
I'm never not here, probably be here tonight.
LORNA walks out abruptly, smiling back at LUKE before she awkwardly steps under the beam and walks out of the loft. LUKE smiles warmly in her direction as she leaves.
LORNA is at the bottom of the stairs and picks up wild daffodils beside her and briskly walks off out of frame.
CUT TO
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
LORNA's older brother, CATHAL (26), is holding his hands in prayer by a wooden cross. He is tall and athletically built with light brown hair, wearing a dark brown blazer. LORNA rushes next to him with freshly-picked wild flowers in her hand. He keeps his eyes trained on the grave before him and addresses LORNA sternly.
CATHAL
Where have ye been, mam and dad have been waitin' for ye? At least you brought flowers, lay them down.
LORNA
I'm so sorry Cathal.
LORNA lays down her flowers and steadies herself with tears in her eyes.
LORNA places the flowers onto the wooden cross and pauses there touching the cross.
LORNA (CONT'D)
Mammy, daddy hope yer resting in peace still, I-I miss yous so much.
LORNA starts welling up, CATHAL glances up to her and hugs her to the side - putting on a brave face as he looks towards his sister.
CUT TO
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
CATHAL is sat in an armchair with a table in front of him, polishing bullets from an old shoe box. He briefly looks over a newspaper clipping and hastily places it back in the box. CATHAL takes a deep breath and tips the bullet cases back in as well, sliding the box under the seat.
LORNA walks into the room, slightly somber, humming the melody of LUKE's song, trying to figure out the tune from memory. As she hums, she sits down next to CATHAL fidgeting nervously but with a slight smile seeping through.
CATHAL
What are ye singin'?
LORNA
Just a song I heard.
CATHAL
(Confused)
What's got ye all giddy?
LORNA looks down and hides a smile.
LORNA
Nahin.
CATHAL looks up and smirks at his sister.
CATHAL
Come off it, youv met a caddy you like- haven't ye?
LORNA
Possibly
After hearing the question, LORNA gets up and begins to walk towards the front door.
CATHAL
Hol' on ther now, where are you goen?
LORNA
(Smiling)
I'll be back later.
CATHAL
Alrite, alrite- I'm just trying to keep ye safe, be careful okay. Don't forget back home 9:30 on the dot.
LORNA
Yeah-yeah got'ye.
LORNA walks out the living room.
CUT TO
INT. ABANDONED BARN - NIGHT
Holding an old lantern, LORNA walks toward the stairs. She opens the door, she sees LUKE sat in the same spot as before, strumming his guitar.
LORNA walks in, causing LUKE to stop abruptly. He smiles warmly at LORNA.
LUKE
Didn't think you'd actually come.
LORNA
Course lyke.
She timidly paces towards LUKE, looking around at the features.
LUKE (CONT'D)
Nobody uses this place anymore, but they don't wanna tear it down. They're not gonna find us in here.
LORNA
Who's 'they'?
LUKE
The Catholics o'course.
LUKE drops his guitar pick, and both LORNA and LUKE reach down for it. Their fingers graze over the pick, and the two share a moment looking into one another's eyes. As LUKE looks up at LORNA, he notices her miraculous medal and his heart sinks as he realises she is a Catholic.
LUKE
I'm so stewpid, I assumed and- I'm wile sorry. I won't tell anyone and ye can go about yer life.
LORNA looks desperately at LUKE, trying to reassure him.
LORNA
It's not that, I saw yer Protestant flag sticker earlier. If I was scared and didn't like ye, I wouldn't have come back y'know?
LUKE
Aye, but you know what would happen if we get seen together.
LORNA
They won't. Besides, if we're together, we'll have something to hope for.
LUKE cracks a smile as he feels at ease and safe in her company. LUKE brushes her hair behind her ear, causing LORNA to go red.
FADES INTO
INT. ABANDONED BARN- DAY
A montage of LUKE and LORNA is shown as the two sing LUKE's song together.
LUKE
(v.o, singing)
I'd break the ground beneath your feet
Swim an ocean if it sets you free
Take a bullet for my enemy
If it means you'd run away with me
LUKE
This part's yers.
LUKE & LORNA
(v.o, singing)
Papa said love isn't real
But he don't know the way I feel
So cross your heart and let me sign my name
Heaven knows I hope you feel the same
One- LORNA goes into her house, bashfully smiling.
Two - LUKE is sat on his own biting his lip in frustration struggling with writer's block, he looks up to the doorway where he first saw LORNA and smiles then continues to write more.
Three - LORNA runs out of her house whilst CATHAL is watching TV off screen.
Four - LUKE and LORNA show their dedication to each other, LUKE unpins his protestant flag pin off his jacket and throws it on the floor. LORNA removes her miraculous medal and throws it, they both look at each other smiling. They kiss.
FADE TO
INT. LIVING ROOM- NIGHT
LORNA sneaks back home, trying to silently open the back door. CATHAL is sitting in the kitchen whilst watching a news report on The Troubles.
CATHAL
Yer past curfew, are ye okay? Wh-where is your medal?
LORNA
I'm grand I was just out with Luke, um I must have left it in the bathroom.
LORNA falls silent trying to hide the fact she just let her secret out.
CATHAL
Luke eh? Where did ye meet him?
LORNA remains silent, trying not to answer CATHAL.
CATHAL
Who's his father? Got any siblings?
CATHAL looks expectantly at LORNA, who tries to avoid all eye contact.
CATHAL
(sarcastically)
C'mon, he's not a prod is he?
CATHAL laughs to break the silence, but his face grows concerned while an anxious LORNA refuses to talk.
CATHAL
Lorna... What's his surnaem?
LORNA
Coulter.
CATHAL
(scoffs)
Coulter? Coulter? Right.
LORNA starts walking out of the room, retreating upstairs.
CATHAL watches LORNA go up, shifting his view towards a picture of their parents. He slumps into a chair and slams his fists down on the table, putting his head in his hands while fighting back angry tears.
FADE OUT
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The front door to the house opens to reveal LUKE standing on the other side looking down at his watch, he has his guitar case on his back. His face goes pale and his smile drops slightly as he sees who answers the door.
CATHAL
Right there, caddy, what's the craic?
LUKE
Oh, I'm-
CATHAL
Luke, right? Come in.
CUT TO
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
As LORNA hurries down the stairs, she is horrified to see her brother chatting to LUKE, who is sat right next to him. She carries on down the stairs slowly.
CATHAL
So, when were ye gonna introduce me to yer man here?
Tense silence fills the air as LORNA and LUKE stare at each other with fear in their eyes. LORNA tries to speak but cannot get her words out. CATHAL speaks coolly, grabbing LUKE by the shoulder playfully but firm.
CATHAL
You never told me he plays the guitar.
LUKE
(Stammering)
Yeah. Yeah I do.
A terrified LORNA barely manages to get the words out of her mouth.
LORNA
Cathal, stop it!
CATHAL
What? I'm just getting to know the lad. Why don't you have a seat?
LORNA nervously heads towards the table, sitting opposite LUKE with CATHAL at the head of the table separating them.
CATHAL reaches underneath the table for the shoebox. He looks at LORNA as he pushes the newspaper clipping towards the centre of the table. The headline reads: 'Sgt. Darragh Coulter Named Accomplice in Parish Attack'
LUKE has a pleading look in his eyes as he stares anxiously at LORNA.
CATHAL
(Scoffs)
Where are my manners? Lorna, could you get our friend something to drink, and I'll get to know him a little more.
LUKE attempts to stand to go to the next room himself, but CATHAL puts his hand on his shoulder, forcing him down. LORNA glances at CATHAL and slowly rises from her seat, keeping her eyes trained on LUKE.
CATHAL
There's a good girl.
LORNA remains frightened; a thousand thoughts go through her head as she leaves the room. In the background, a shuffling of chairs can be heard as CATHAL gets out of his seat to confront LUKE.
CATHAL gets up and lifts LUKE out of his seat by his shirt.
CATHAL
(Off-screen)
You have some fucking nerve, coming in't my howse and thinking ye can have a life worth living after everything you took-
CATHAL pushes LUKE against the table forcefully.
LUKE
I SWEAR I KNEW NAHIN. HE WON'T TELL ME ANYTHIN', HOW WAS I MEANT TO KNOW?
CATHAL grabs LUKE and throws him to the ground and starts punching and kicking him.
The two begin to struggle, suddenly CATHAL gets a gun out from under his shirt, a gunshot is heard and silence falls upon the room.
LORNA is only just outside the room and hasn't looked back, she is shell-shocked and falls back onto the wall, she starts sobbing as she slides towards the floor as she sits there tucking her knees to her chest.
A body can be seen on the floor in the dining room, as a set of legs walks through towards LORNA.
CATHAL steps into frame and he kneels down to embrace her, completely expressionless. LORNA flinches and retracts away from his affection, but CATHAL continues to hug her.
CATHAL
Lorna, Lorna it's okay- it's okay. It had to be done- He had it coming- hey, hey. It's grand- I hope you know that nothing can be done.
BLACKOUT
CUT TO CREDITS