MAKE ROOM FOR ROOM TAKEN
New to Ireland, a young Nigerian man named Isaac (endearing Gabriel Adewusi) is down on his luck in present day Dublin. Unable to find steady housing, he ends up at a shelter that cannot help him. After another uncomfortable night on the streets, he has a chance encounter at a diner with Victoria (touching Bríd Brennan from Dancing at Lughnasa), an older, blind, Irish woman. When Victoria inadvertently leaves her bag at the restaurant, Isaac runs after her to return her belongings. This act of kindness leads to a surprising respite for Isaac, which then begs the question, is it possible to be both seen and unseen?
Screenwriter Michael Whelan and director TJ O’Grady-Peyton deliver a potent and very human eighteen minutes in their short film, Room Taken. Executive Produced by Colin Farrell, the film has already played numerous film festivals worldwide, garnering over thirty awards. It is currently short-listed for an Academy Award nomination.
O’Grady-Peyton’s direction is sensitive and unobtrusive yet also incredibly detailed. His unassuming storytelling is so well-crafted that the mere act of someone entering a room elicits a gasp. Director of Photography Evan Barry makes ample use of ambient light and the revealing close-up, creating many beautiful images in support of the story. Editing by Derek Holland is quite textured, leaving space for warmth, humor and anxious moments throughout.
Certainly in 2025, a gentle story of human beings helping each other is a much needed reminder that we’re all in this together. Farrell wrote that the film is about “grief and loneliness,” which is absolutely true. However, when he added that it’s also about “reaching across the cultural divide,” I wondered about that given that Victoria is blind and unaware that Isaac is Nigerian. Thus, one culture is not directly acknowledged. Still, as an uplifting tale of two displaced people finding shelter in each other, Room Taken deserves its booking.
stills © Vico Films
Room Taken
Vico Picture & Sound Production
Fís Èireann/Screen Ireland
produced by Colmán Mac Cionnaith
18 minutes | Ireland | 2023
