John T. Davis: Heart on the Line 
John T. Davis is internationally recognised as Northern Ireland’s most distinctive documentary filmmaker and cinematographer.
To mark his 70th birthday in March, and in recognition of his over 40 years of filmmaking, QFT is mounting a retrospective of his work.
Heart on the Line offers a rare insight into the lyrics, lives, dreams and attitudes of Nashville’s songwriters, the largely unknown men and women whose art is the lifeblood of the country music industry. These are people who, as Tom Schuyler’s ‘16th Avenue’ conveys, ‘walked away from everything just to sing for me and you … just to make a dream come true’. The film features performances and commentary by major songwriters such as Harlan Howard, ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement and Whitey Schafer as well as unacknowledged but equally gifted composers like Junior Lee Farrell and Danny Jackson. We witness Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus on retreat at Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee as they collaborate on the song which gives Davis’ film its title. All of the songwriters have in common a will to communicate with powerful honesty - in their songs and in their lives these are artists unafraid to lay their hearts on the line.
Screening with mshiikenhmnising (22 mins), a new work-in-progress by John T. Davis.
The screening will be introduced by John T. Davis.
Part Two of Peripheral Visions: John T. Davis, A Retrospective also includes:
Hip to the Tip - Atlantic, The Independent Years
Discover more about the work of John T. Davis here.
This season is presented in partnership with Film Hub NI. Special thanks to Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Film Institute, Peter Strain and Yellowmoon.
