Institute of Art Design + Technology
Dún Laoghaire

Ciara Croke 

BA [Hons] Animation

In my final year at IADT I had the opportunity to direct my film, 'An Bean Sí', which meant I was involved in all stages of the production process, starting from concept art and storyboarding to animating and compositing.

An Bean Sí

In contrast to many popular depictions of the Bean Sí presenting an evil spirit bringing death to the unlucky souls who cross her path, I wanted to create a more sympathetic telling of her story, truer to the original folk tale. The ghostly woman's endless wandering of the Irish countryside is interrupted by her compulsion to warn an old man of his impending death, connected by an eternal bond to his family. Her comforting presence helps him come to terms with his unalterable fate and brings him peace in his final moments - while she remains suspended in her timeless reality.