Cinema-Worcester to screen ‘The Peacemaker’ in Worcester

It started with a tale spun at a quaint Cambridge pub, but it ended with years of adventure and documentation. When filmmaker James Demo wrapped shooting for “The Peacemaker,” he thought he answered the question of “Why would a recovering alcoholic pub owner put himself in harm’s way to facilitate peace all over the world, at a detriment to himself?” as best he could.

On Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., Worcester film enthusiasts have a chance to screen the award-winning film at The Park View Room, 230 Park Ave., with the director himself on hand to answer questions.

“I heard his story at a little pub in Cambridge,” explained Demo. “At the time, Padraig [O’Malley] was bringing the Northern Irish and South Africans into the Iraq conflict. What I hadn’t realized was that there was a bar owner who owned The Plough and Stars doing this high-level peace work in one of the most violent conflicts that was happening. It was 2008 in Iraq, insurgency was in full swing, here was this bar owner bringing the Northern Irish and South Africans to the table and the different political and tribal groups in a meeting. I thought this was fascinating. I heard he was also a recovering alcoholic. He was using the bar to fund the work, running around the green zone looking for an AA [alcoholics anonymous] meeting.”

That O’Malley is an interesting figure would be a gross understatement, and critics and film buffs alike rallied around his tale. The film has won many awards, earned furiously-positive critical reception and was named a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Another group found the film inspiring as well: the recovery community.

“When we talk about impact for the film, the other community that has found the film is the recovery community,” said Demo. “A lot of folks in the recovery community find his story a breath of fresh air. We see him struggling with his recovery and addiction, and he’s still able to achieve quite a bit in his life through his time struggling with addiction and recovery. It’s this idea that’s not unlike peace processes. The work starts when the peace agreement is signed, but it’s an ongoing process. Doves don’t fly when the agreement is signed, they don’t fly when someone finds recovery. The real hard work continues and if you don’t work at that progress, you can regress. It’s a very authentic look at one person’s struggle.”

Further, O’Malley’s peacemaking capabilities and interest draw from that exact same recovery process he himself was working through.

“One culture in conflict could help another culture in conflict, just like an alcoholic in recovery,” said Demo. “They shared stories to understand addiction and how that all came about. There was this connection, I found it fascinating.”

Demo started his career in the world of business, a path that would bring him to Boston, where he stayed. He left his business career and worked on a short comedy, “First Time Long Time.” O’Malley’s story grabbed Demo, but it would be a big step from his previous work.

“I never go into a film thinking or knowing the answer to the questions that I have,” he said. “The reason to make the film was that you’re curious. I feel like filmmaking is an exploration. I knew that there was this person who was really unique in the world going out trying to solve conflicts. He was able to get access to the highest levels of the Northern Irish, the Iraqis, the South African conflicts. I wanted to understand how he did that. What turned out to be the case, ultimately, the why became a deeper question than the how. What motivated him? The film is an exploration of why he tries to take on the world’s greatest problems.”

Demo spent years with O’Malley, documenting his work and discovering the man behind the roving seat at the peacemaking table, and while he would be surprised by many things along the way, the biggest surprise he’d find wasn’t what he expected.

“You travel around in conflict zones and the greater picture, I was surprised in some ways by how universal it is that the things people want out of their lives,” said Demo. “Most people in conflict zones are hospitable, wonderful people that want education for their kids, a roof over their heads and peace. It’s the extremes in those zones that dominate the conversation. That would be a great lesson of the broader geopolitical piece.”

The surprising part about O’Malley, Demo said, was the trust he cultivated in those around him.

“I was surprised by how talented he can be in gaining trust in that world,” he said. “He is brilliant at connecting to people in both sides of the conflict and gaining their trust. The first conflict he was in is the Northern Irish peace process, he was able to get hardcore paramilitary people to trust him. That’s an amazing talent. He can do things a lot of people aren’t able to.”

The Peacemaker will be screened at The Park View Room, 230 Park Ave. Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. The film is presented by Cinema-Worcester.