At 5 a.m. on December 1st, Ben Eadar, the Holywood, Co Down, home of Ireland's most celebrated documentary-maker, John T. Davis (right), burned to the ground. Thankfully, John T. and his family escaped, but sadly, his personal archive and his own original master footage did not. The fire also destroyed all his camera equipment and lenses - his means of earning a living. Anyone who saw his most recent, intensely personal film, The Uncle Jack, will be aware of the central place of Ben Eadar in Davis's life and work, from the groundbreaking Shellshock Rock, through such critically acclaimed films as Power in the Blood and Hobo.
Loopline Film has set up a fund to help John and his family start over again, and will also be organising fund-raising benefits on his behalf. The first event, taking place tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the IFC, is a screening in association with the Irish Film Archive of Hobo. Anyone interested in helping with the fundraising can contact Se Merry Doyle at Loopline, tel: (01) 4535081. Donations for the Davis family may be sent to ACC Bank, Westmoreland St, Dublin 2; Account No: 621 67279. Sort code: 90-90-11.
