'I sold Once for nothing, and made no money on it. Not a penny. I did the worst deal you could do' - filmmaker John Carney on being 'young and and green'

John Carney is a celebrated filmmaker in Ireland and is in a meeting room when his phone rings. He forgets to silence the device and then explains the call is from his child. The moment connects public recognition with private responsibilities. Carney’s experience reflects how fame can intrude into everyday settings. It also points to how fatherhood remains central even during professional engagements. The framing suggests that modern media habits, including streaming, have changed how films are made and how audiences encounter them, influencing filmmaking decisions and career rhythms.

"John Carney's phone is ringing. We're in an elegant meeting room at the Westbury Hotel, just around the corner from the chatty afternoon tea drinkers, and Carney - one of the most celebrated filmmakers in Ireland - has forgotten to switch his device to silent mode. These things happen. "I'll turn that off," Carney says, removing the offending item from the table between us. "Oh, actually, it's my kid.""

""I'll turn that off," Carney says, removing the offending item from the table between us. "Oh, actually, it's my kid.""

Read at Independent