Neasa Ní Chianáin Directs Fly-on-the-Wall Documentary Following Eamon Ryan
Neasa Ní Chianáin’s documentary feature Forever Is Now captures the final 18 months of Eamon Ryan’s tenure as leader of Ireland’s Green Party and cabinet minister, tracking high-stakes international climate diplomacy alongside domestic political friction. The production arrives in UK and Irish cinemas following its theatrical release rollout.
Global Climate Negotiations Collide With Local Irish Protests
The documentary examines the structural limits of environmental policymaking as Ryan attempts to secure international agreements on aviation and maritime taxes across 27 countries ahead of a European conference. At the COP 29 summit in Azerbaijan, those ambitions stall when representatives from the Global South argue that developed nations are attempting to walk away without providing adequate financial support to the developing world. Back in Ireland, green-branded diplomacy meets direct resistance during Irish Lives Matter protests, while younger party members express frustration over the pace of reform during a conference in Ballina. Inside the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald targets Ryan’s transport and climate initiatives directly, dismissing them as half-baked and unfair.
Media Strategies and Behind-the-Scenes Political Pressures
The film frames political survival through the day-to-day operations managed by Edel Hackett, Ryan’s media adviser, who navigates online abuse, press briefings, and social media campaigns launched by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary. The Guardian review compares this political pressure cooker to the television series The Thick of It, noting that Hackett functions effectively as a steadying force amid constant public scrutiny. While the documentary omits background details regarding the ambitious climate laws pushed through office or the broader context of the Green Party losing 11 of its 12 TDs in the November 2024 general election, it records the immediate aftermath of political defeat. Cameras capture Ryan packing up his ministerial office in January 2025 while Donald Trump’s inauguration plays on a television in the background.
Balancing Full-Time Ministerial Duties With Family Life
Away from parliamentary debates and ministerial offices, the documentary highlights the personal costs of high-office politics and the realities of full-time caregiving. Ryan shares frequent moments with his 25-year-old son Tommy, who is autistic and repeats the word “forever” throughout the film. Scenes feature the pair walking their dog Sooty—who acts as an accidental scene stealer—and picking raspberries at an allotment. Aside from a brief appearance by his wife Victoria, the rest of Ryan’s family life remains outside the lens, anchoring the narrative firmly on his decision to step down from government to dedicate more time to his family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forever Is Now
When was Eamon Ryan in power?
Eamon Ryan served as the leader of Ireland’s Green Party from 2011 to 2024 and held cabinet positions as minister for the environment, climate, communications, and transport in the 2020–25 coalition government.
Who directed the documentary and what is its running time?
Neasa Ní Chianáin directed the 1-hour-37-minute documentary, which carries a 12A certificate and follows Ryan’s final 18 months in power.
When and where is the film being released?
Forever Is Now is scheduled to screen in UK and Irish cinemas starting in October, following its festival and preview screenings.