Previewed in December 2013 as part of the 'Sign Painter Movie' premiere (a great film made by our friends stateside), 'Gentlemen of Letters' was intended to briefly document Dublin's relationship, history and influence connected with hand painted signs. Dublin has a rich history of hand painted signs decorating the city. Although it is not as common today, the craft still continues.
"Sign writing is a real craft and I hope this film, in some small way, has helped people develop an appreciation for it. It was very much a learning experience for me as I previously knew nothing about sign writing and the skill involved. A hand painted sign can have a large effect on Dublin's streets so since filming I now look at them in a completely different way."
"I've worked with a lot of great artists and sign painters over the years at our venue The Bernard Shaw and am always fascinated about how a bold mural and message can totally change the perception of a space and cause reaction with passers by - especially in an era when we are surrounded by advertising, so when I held the Dublin screening for the US documentary Sign Painter Movie I really wanted to use that as a platform to show a snapshot of sign painting here in Dublin, both past and present."
