Martin McDonagh loves his stars: ‘I don’t want anyone else to get their hands on them’

Writer-director Martin McDonagh took a few passes at “The Banshees of Inisherin” before landing on the right focus. Several years ago, Martin McDonagh started work on a play called “The Banshees of Inisheer.” He didn’t care much for it, but he liked the title, with its echoes of his plays “The Cripple of Inishmaan” and “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.” A few years later, he began writing a screenplay that included two friends who had come to an impasse in their relationship. “You’re appreciative of it, but then we’re not the type who blow our own trumpet.” McDonagh won the festival’s screenplay award, and Farrell was named best actor. Set on the fictional Irish island of the title, “Banshees” is the story of a breakup, though not the kind we’re used to seeing onscreen. I don’t want anyone else to get their hands on them.” Martin McDonagh chats with Colin Farrell on set of “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The island of Inisherin is actually two islands: Inishmore, off the coast of Galway, is where Pádraic’s home is located, as well as many of the roads and fields featured in the film.