The media were given a new nickname by John Boorman as he arrived triumphant at Dublin Airport yesterday. The "paddyazzi" were much more polite than their continental cousins, said the English film-maker, who was named best director for The General in Cannes on Sunday.
While Mr Boorman (65) was thrilled with the award, the festival had taken its toll. "We are exhausted, Cannes is very taxing," he said, accompanied by Brendan Gleeson, the actor who plays the Dublin criminal Martin Cahill in the film.
It had been a great honour just to get there, said Mr Boorman. Six thousand films were submitted from all over the world, and 20 were chosen for the competition.
Gleeson smiled broadly, saying: "So many people had told me I was tipped for an award that inevitably I got a bit excited. Had I landed an award it would have been for everyone on the film. The generosity of spirit that was on that set was unreal.
At home, controversy has built up around the film, with some suggesting The General glorifies the criminal activities of Cahill. "It displays him as a Dubliner with a heart of gold," said one caller to Liveline yesterday. "What about the people lying in graves because of him?"
Gleeson and Mr Boorman countered this, saying "practically all of these things are being said without people having seen the film".
It is balanced, said Mr Boorman yesterday. "He [Martin Cahill] was a fascinating man, an extremely entertaining character, but it is a balanced picture. I was very careful about this in writing the film," he said.
Gleeson had written to Cahill's widow. "I wrote a letter at one stage to make contact and to hope that what I did would do justice to his memory."
Mr Boorman sent the film script to Cahill's widow but received no response. A request by Cahill's son not to be mentioned in the film was respected.
Receiving his award on Sunday night, Mr Boorman dedicated it to the people of Ireland. He had won the best director award at Cannes for his film Leo the Last in 1970. He has lived in Co Wicklow for more than 25 years. "It was wonderful to be back for the same award, but now with the possibility of peace," he said.
The General has its world premiere tomorrow night in the Savoy Cinema. Proceeds go to Focus Ireland.