Beyond the Fire

2009, 80 minutes

traces the difficult relationship between a rape victim and a man who was sexually abused by a priest in his childhood

Sheamy, an Irish ex-priest recently released from prison, arrives in London searching for his former mentor in faith, Father Brendan. Sheamy becomes romantically involved with Londoner, Katie, a survivor of rape who wants to get her sex life up and running again! Winner of the Best Film (UK Feature) at the London Independent Film Festival. As their relationship develops, Katie's demons are laid to rest but Sheamy's explode. Sheamy reveals that he was sexually abused as a boy by Father Brendan, but frames it as a 'great love'. Katie appalled leaves him. Sheamy facing the truth goes crazy and branding Father Brendan a hypocrite attacks him in a church while Fr Brendan is saying Mass. He is arrested and again is set to return to prison. Is Sheamy trapped, doomed by past, fate - or can he finally find justice?

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