Virginia O’Connor embarks on a journey of vengeance at the screening of Irish mockumentary ‘Suit Hung. Tied Tongue’.
The Irish mockumentary Suit Hung. Tied Tongue centres around two brothers; Sean (Paul St Leger) and Freddie (Alex Eydt) Halpin who, in their grief and anger, decide to take radically violent action against the government. Director Sau Dachi delivers a striking debut that feels so hauntingly real. Dachi achieves this through exploring the weighty themes of sorrow, exasperation, and hopelessness; all of which are the unfortunate realities of many.
To give context: brothers Sean and Freddie live alone following the death of their beloved mother; a death which, devastatingly, may have been avoided if she had gotten the correct test results earlier. Although social and talented, the brothers develop a deep-rooted desire for vengeance (led by Sean), they plan to murder Minister Paul Keogh (William Morgan).
The narrative opens with a call of distress to the emergency services regarding a shooting. The Halpin brothers are then introduced wholesomely recording a video message, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to their grandmother. Sean, the older of the two’ is more confident -his vest exposing his tattoos and silver chain; while Freddie is dressed in a reserved hoodie. These home videos are a recurring element of Suit Hung. Tied Tongue. Journalistic style retrospective interviews of people reflecting on the events being foreshadowed pepper the action.
Sean and Paul’s respective partners are members of the Garda and a psychologist. There are also frequent photos of the Halpin brothers from their childhood with their beloved mother that warm up the screen with vibrant colours; a contrast to the black and white filter over the interviews and the dull unsaturated reality they live in. They announce their plan to murder on social media, recording a daily countdown while hiding their identity behind animal masks (most notably a sheep – perhaps cosplaying the expression ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’). Given their capabilities with writing and performing music. there is a sense of irony that they could have become internet sensations through their art and not their anger.
Just as the Halpin brothers invite anticipation from their viewers as they count down the days until their action, the film as a whole also prompts controversy from its viewers in relation to political hypocrisy. Sensitive and home-hitting issues such as the cervical scandal and the pandemic motivate the radical reactions from the public that we see in Suit Hung. Tied Tongue. There are also more discreet moments that illustrate the status divide tremendously. For instance, in the interview segments when minister Keogh’s wife Fionnuala remarks fondly on their ‘engagement in Paris, their wedding in Hawaii and honeymoon in Florida’. Her throwaway mention of these lavish travel destinations certainly doesn’t make her position any less deserving of empathy yet it simultaneously acknowledges how privileged of a life it was they had together.
Visually, despite the dull context of the production there are several absolutely captivating shots. In particular, an upside view of the forest which can be likened to Midsommar both visually and the tone of looming dread. The audience is spared of seeing the ferociously violent attack the brothers conduct on Paul in the woods after they trick him into conversing with them under the pretense of needing help with their car. However, the description in the interview segments by the Garda of how Paul was harmed undoubtedly makes every viewer’s skin crawl. Freddie’s coworker in an interview mentions that Freddie’s only issue in his job was being late a handful of times – a comment that is considerably ironic as it is their timing that ultimately destroys their operation when they end up getting pulled over for speeding after committing a much more heinous criminal act.
Overall, this production is a delicate and driven merit to Irish cinema. Dachi manages to prompt strong emotional investment and deep consideration of the multi-faceted incident examined and the differing responses it garners. The performances are nothing short of outstanding with St Leger embodying charisma fuelled by indignation and Eydt delivers such an endearing soft vulnerability to Freddie.
Suit Hung. Tied Tongue is brimming with talent, tasteful execution and elicits deep discussion – this is not one to miss.
Suit Hung. Tied Tongue screened at Dot Theatre 27th September 2024.
