Big Boys Don’t Cry, by Joe Byrne, 2018, Ireland, 2:36 minutes
Joe Byrne professionally know as – Freddy black – is an international, multi-award-winning, poet, writer, actor and filmmaker from Dublin in Ireland. In the modern world of performance poetry, being able to write and articulate at a high level is essential. Joe’s multidisciplinary skillset sets his work apart. Joe is able to take things to the next level by starring in and directing his own videos, which has helped him launch his work to a much wider audience. Joe’s films and poetry are dominated by prominent social issues such as mental health, homelessness and modern relationships.
In 2018 he wrote “Big Boys Don’t Cry”, which went on to win first prize in the inaugural Video Poem category at the Doolin Literary Festival. In June 2020 it was awarded first place in BCC Evolution Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Film Festival in Denver, Colorado and in May 2020 it was a runner up in the TEEB TV Mental Health Film Festival, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia. The video itself has amassed over 150,000 views to date.
Joe is an active member of the performance poetry scene in Dublin, earning him Circle Sessions’ Poet of the Year 2018, and he was the overall winner of Circle Sessions’ Poetry Day Ireland Competition 2019.
This film will be available between 19-25 April 2021.