Christy Brown: Self Portrait

Offering an intimate and unfiltered look at the life of Christy Brown, Christy Brown: Self Portrait is a film narrated by Aidan Gillen, and features Saoirse Ronan bringing Brown’s poetry to life, with contributions from Jim Sheridan, John Banville, and artist Mary Duffy.

With access to Christy’s personal archive—letters, photographs, and artworks—the film explores the relationships and challenges that shaped his work. From his bond with his mother, Bridget, to his turbulent connection with his wife, Mary Carr, Self Portrait examines the forces that coloured his life. The film also features insights from those who
knew and respected Christy, including Jim Sheridan, John Banville, Mary Duffy, Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh, Peter Sheridan, and Christy’s youngest sibling, Ann Jones.

Listen: Director Alex Verner speaks to RTÉ Radio 1 Arena Christy Brown: Self Portrait | Arena – RTÉ Radio 1 (rte.ie)

Broadcast Details: Christy Brown: Self Portrait airs on Wednesday 6th November, 9.35pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player

Info: Narrated by Aiden Gillen, featuring Saoirse Ronan, and produced by Averner Films, this fifty-minute film goes beyond My Left Foot and the paintings that defined Christy Brown’s public image.

It challenges the narrative solidified by the 1989 Oscar-winning movie, which introduced Christy’s story to a global audience but limited his legacy. Christy Brown: Self Portrait expands this view, portraying him as he wanted to be remembered: a serious poet whose voice reached beyond the constraints of his physical condition.

Reimagining Christy’s story through his own words, the film draws from his poetry, letters, and lesser-known writings. “Self Portrait assembles a more complete, honest view of Christy,” says writer and director Alex Verner. “Through his poems, we see a man confronting struggles but refusing to let them define him. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.”

Saoirse Ronan’s readings bring Christy’s poems to life, revealing the depth of his inner world. His brother-in-law, Willie Jones, shares: “He wanted others to read his poetry
because he couldn’t. When we did, people understood him.”

Editor’s note

This marks the third RTÉ documentary by Irish filmmaking brothers Alex and Joel Verner of Averner Films, following their award-winning and RTS-award nominated documentaries Jack B. Yeats: The Man Who Painted Ireland (narrated by Pierce Brosnan) and Untameable(narrated by Ciarán Hinds), both written with Colm Tóibín.

RTÉ Communications: Jennifer O’Brien