THE iconic Hollywood sign has returned to one Limerick community as it prepares to film a documentary celebrating its people and all the area has to offer.
The 42-foot artwork in Moyross first became a symbol of pride and creativity when it was first installed in 2014, serving as the backdrop to Grace Dyas’ play Moyross.
Now with funding from The Arts Council, Moyross: The Documentary, co-directed by Karen Keehan and Grace Dyas, has begun filming.
The film revisits the sign and the play, featuring residents watching footage of themselves 10 years on, reflecting on how much can change in a life and in a place over a decade.
“When I first came to Limerick, hypocrites in Dublin told me I’d need a bulletproof vest to go to Moyross. The reality I found was completely different; a beautiful housing estate nestled in the Clare Hills,” Grace explained.
“I started to think about the fame attached to Moyross, a fame and a brand not chosen by the people who live here, but forced on them through years of media intrusion.
“I wondered: how does a community redress that kind of oppression? Fame is synonymous with Hollywood, so the idea of a Hollywood sign for Moyross was born as a way of asking if Moyross could also be famous for its talent. This was proved right with the play in 2014,” she added.
Nearly 70 members of the Moyross community took part in the 2014 play, “the whole community stood behind” it, co-facilitator Karen Keehan said.
“The audience were visibly moved through the stories told. It was truly awe inspiring to see the show come together, the weeks and months of planning, the workshops, the new-found creativity, the creativity that had been buried and forgotten within, the showcasing of community groups, the bravery of individual contributors… the nerves, the laughing, and the belief.”
The sign was erected in Moyross earlier this month by the community with treats, prizes, and games on the day.
