New movie from former high-flyer banker exposes dark side of Irish industry

A former Irish banker who turned his back on the high-flyer lifestyle is set to release a new movie which exposes the dark heart of the industry.

Alan Mulligan, a former banker from Co Mayo, used his own story as the root for his first feature film “The Limit Of” which is set to be released in Ireland on April 5.

Alan, along with his brother Anthony, had initial difficulty in securing funding for the movie as it looks into the underbelly of Irish banking and the dark lifestyles of certain characters working within it.

Featuring rising stars Laurence O’Fuarain and Sarah Carroll (Nominated for Best Actress IFTA), the movie tells the story of Dublin banker James Allen who lives alone and who cares for his widowed mother. Allen’s sanity is tested, however, when the bank he works for moves to repossess his mother’s home and the stress of the situation provokes a family crisis.

The tale pulls heavily from Alan’s time as a boomtime banker, a time in which he says he gave out millions in credit to borrowers during the Celtic Tiger era.

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Having spent one Christmas at home crying, Alan was diagnosed with depression and decided to quit banking, staying on for a year to use his salary to pay off his debts. He then went on to take a movie-making course and he was hooked. After two short films, he decided to take on a full-length feature.

There were more obstacles to overcome, however, which Alan’s producer/brother Anthony being diagnosed with a brain tumor and production being halted halfway through 2014 so he could receive treatment.

While his brother was in the hospital, Alan was also caring for their father Anthony Snr, who sadly lost his battle with cancer a few months ago. Anthony Jnr has since made a full recovery.  

"The Limit Of "is on general release in selected cinemas in Ireland from April 5.

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