‘Counter Attack’, the ninth documentary from CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán’s Science on Screen public engagement programme, premiered at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin this week.
Medical device research thrives on a multi-disciplinary approach where combining knowledge from many fields deepens our understanding of global health conditions. Cardiovascular disease, one of leading causes of death globally, was the subject of ‘Counter Attack’, the new Science on Screen documentary directed by Tiernan Williams and produced by Maria O’Neill of Cluster Fox Films.
It features Kildare based musician Frankie Lane, who suffered a heart attack followed by a cardiac arrest, Frankie’s wife Anita Lane and Cork based paramedic Pat McCarthy. The documentary also features CÚRAM’s University of Galway based researchers, including vascular surgeon Dr. Niamh Hynes who focusses on the body’s largest artery – the aorta. Her research looks at predicting if, and when an aortic rupture will happen and, using AI and machine learning, how we can build computer models or ‘digital twins’ of aortas to understand the rupture process.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion with all the film’s contributors and an audience Q&A with Dr Claire O’Connell acting as MC for the evening. Frankie and Anita Lane spoke about the emotional impact of their experience while paramedic Pat McCarthy shared statistics about survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests and the importance of understanding that there are many different signs and symptoms. Dr Niamh Hynes and Professor Abhay Pandit, founding director of CÚRAM, spoke about their research in cardiovascular disease, with Prof Pandit explaining that while it can take a long time for research to reach the patient, innovations are being created all the time. He gave the example of an injectable hydrogel that he is working on that will in the future help preserve the health of the heart muscle after a heart attack event.
“At CÚRAM, our goal is to develop superior devices that are durable. We achieve this by uniting experts from diverse fields, including clinicians like myself, engineers, biomedical scientists, and social scientists, all while keeping the patient at the heart of our team” commented Dr Hynes. “We cannot grasp what is most important or urgent without their perspective. Conversations like these are crucial not only for raising awareness and prevention but also for helping people recognise how valuable their lived experiences with these conditions are to the research community.”
“We’re grateful to have been trusted with the opportunity to create this documentary. Huge thanks to Ardán and CÚRAM for believing in our vision and giving us the space to tell this story. But most of all, heartfelt thanks to our incredible participants. Your openness, strength, and honesty brought this film to life in ways we couldn’t have foreseen. It’s been an incredible journey—challenging, inspiring, and so worth it. We can’t wait to share it with you all soon.” Maria O’Neill & Tiernan Williams – Cluster Fox Films
This film is just beginning its journey and will continue to screen throughout the year. If you are interested in hosting a screening please contact CÚRAM or Ardán for more information.
Watch the ‘Counter Attack’ trailer at Counter Attack – Trailer on Vimeo
CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide opportunities for collaboration with patient or public audiences interested in or affected by its research and a key aspect of the Science on Screen Programme – that is co-managed with Ardán (previously Galway Film Centre) – is the collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and those with lived conditions of chronic illness.
Ardán is a non-profit talent development organisation that supports creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
“For more than ten years, the collaboration between Ardán and CÚRAM through Science on Screen has successfully highlighted CÚRAM’s groundbreaking research from a human perspective. This initiative not only makes STEM subjects more accessible to the media audience but also provides valuable insights into the extraordinary work that is shaping the future of medicine.” – Alan Duggan, Ardán CEO
The Science on Screen scheme was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits.
2025 marks the 10th year of CÚRAM & Ardán’s Science on Screen programme, and we look forward to celebrating the anniversary of this initiative in Galway later this year.
Find out more about Ardán at www.ardan.ie
Find out more about CÚRAM at www.curamdevices.ie
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For more information contact:
Claire Riordan
Communications & Public Engagement Manager, CÚRAM
claire.riordan@universityofgalway.ie
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