‘The Barking Mania’ employs a visual style characterised by sharp angles and dissonant imagery. It presents a narrative that defies conventional expectations, as anachronistic graphics collide with a seductive voice-over, creating a jarring yet mesmerising experience. Crafted entirely on a mobile phone screen, the animation breathes life into a historical account, its unconventional approach reflecting the peculiarity of the story it tells.
Taken from a medieval Irish manuscript from 1351, ‘The Barking Mania’ tells us about a phenomenon that has baffled generations. Once believed to be a collective hysterical disorder, contemporary insights suggest a different origin—a contagious illness akin to whooping cough.
Produced by Mairéad McClean during Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries programme, this short film emerges as an exploration of belief, hysteria, and the ever-present threat of contagion. As the world continues to experience different collective delusions in the present, this film serves as a timely reminder of the lasting impact of historical records to reveal stories that both captivate, confound and remind us of the cyclical nature of life on earth.
Mairéad McClean Director
Duration: 3 min : 40 sec
