Michael Inside is being described as the hottest ticket in Irish cinema for years. The film tells the story of an 18-year-old Dubliner who is arrested and convicted after holding a bag of drugs for his friend's older brother, and has won an IFTA as well as awards in Galway and Cork.

Frank Berry is the film's director and writer. He explains that it deals with the character's time in prison and how the experience affects his thinking and behaviour when he leaves.

"The idea came to me when I was making my last film about youth mental health among teenagers. A lot of young people in Ireland are already living with feelings of defeat. I would see a lot of young people that I felt were vulnerable because of the circumstances of the environment they grew up in."

Many films that deal with crime tend to focus on "gangsters and territories", but Frank says he wanted to concentrate on a lesser told story.

"I was motivated to turn the camera to the outskirts of a group of young people and focus on somebody who's affected by that activity and who's in danger of becoming part of the prison population."

Michael, the film's protagonist, is played by Dafhyd Flynn, a young actor who is very highly regarded by Frank. 

"He's an extraordinary talent. He would know lots of people who have gone through this and he was on my mind to play the lead role."

The film was shot at Cork Prison. Throughout the research process, Frank was in contact with the Irish Prison Service who directed him to the Pathways Centre, which helps former offenders continue their education. He says he got a warm reception from those he met.

"Over 18 months I spoke to former prisoners about their experiences. They all resonated with this moment when they were given an order by somebody to do something or they started taking drugs at a very young age."

"I felt they were very much motivated to discuss their younger selves, to try and help tell a compelling drama which will also have meaning and might reach somebody."

Michael's relationship with his grandfather provides one of many tender moments in the film. Frank says the family dynamic was a very important part of the story that he wanted to tell.

It's also important for him to engage with audiences.

"The first motivation always is to tell an engaging and moving story. That's my passion in cinema. I'm very driven by the idea of making purposeful films."

To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen