The first official photo for the upcoming Irish historical drama Small Things Like These has been released, featuring Golden Globe winner Cillian Murphy. In addition, the film has also been selected to open the upcoming 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2024.
What is Small Things Like These about?
Based on Claire Keegan’s 2021 novel of the same name, Small Things Like These is directed by Tim Mielants from a screenplay written by Enda Walsh. The latter previously worked with Murphy in both the stage play and film versions of Disco Pigs. The Oppenheimer star will be portraying the role of Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who uncovers a terrible dark secret about his town’s convent.
“Small Things Like These takes place over Christmas in 1985, when devoted father and coal merchant Bill Furlong (Murphy) discovers startling secrets kept by the convent in his town, along with some shocking truths of his own,” reads the synopsis (via Berlinale). “The film reveals truths about Ireland’s Magdalen laundries – horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until 1996, ostensibly to reform ‘fallen young women.'”
Joining Murphy are Emily Watson, Michelle Fairley, Ciarán Hinds, Clare Dunne, and Eileen Walsh. The film is produced by Murphy, Alan Moloney, Matt Damon and Drew Vinton. Executive producers are Ben Affleck, Kevin Halloran, and Michael Joe.
