New Lodge documentary puts ‘walking wounded’ on world stage

“You don’t know what the impact will be, we achieved so much more than what I thought was possible,” Ms Celesia said.

“What it’s doing abroad allows people to talk about any other war – what are the long term consequences? Unfortunately, its more or less the same everywhere.”

Seemingly, she is right – the New Lodge story has resonated.

The Flats has already secured big wins at several international festivals.

In March, the film became the first Irish production to be awarded the top prize at the CPH:DOX festival in Copenhagen and it has since been screened in cities such as Switzerland, Munich and as far as Sydney, where some of the audience members included New Lodge expats.

Last month, The Flats was awarded the Pull Focus award at the Docs Ireland showcase in Belfast, which Alessandra described as “the screening of my life”.