Karen Barry - Lift
Karen Barry - Lift

IndieCork to premiere Lift documentary on powerlifting champion, Cork woman Karen Barry

The IndieCork Film Festival today announced that it had secured the world premiere of Lift, the story of Cork woman Karen Barry, dental receptionist, mum-of-three, and now powerlifting champion.

The documentary is the work of Stanley’s Deathpark Productions, the London/Dublin-based production company of Carrigaline natives Ken Williams and Denis Fitzpatrick.

Since 2012, they’ve made numerous award-winning short films, which have screened at festivals in Ireland and abroad. Lift is their first foray into long form storytelling. Their latest short film, Blanket, is also screening at IndieCork.

Lift traces Karen’s discovery of the sport which changed her life and follows the 50-year-old to Minsk to participate in the World Championships as she continues to break personal best and Irish records.

The striking thing for us wasn’t just the achievements themselves, but the fact that Karen was a novice at the sport, only arriving at it in her late forties. We instantly knew that there was a great story here worth telling, a family woman that you would wave to on the street but who can also lift five times her body weight!

Ken Williams

We’re delighted to screen Lift before a home crowd and sharing Karen’s amazing story with a wider audience.

Denis Fitzpatrick

We’re thrilled to screen Lift. It tells the inspiring and, dare I say it, uplifting story of an extraordinary ‘ordinary’ woman. The best stories are those of the heroes and heroines in our midst.

Mick Hannigan, Co-director – IndieCork

Lift will be screened in the Gate Multiplex during the up-coming IndieCork Film Festival which runs from October 6th to 13th.