Small Things Like These | Shane O’Connor
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival is preparing to raise their curtains, announcing their opener film “Small Things Like These,” an Irish-Belgian production starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson and Michelle Fairley. Directed by Tim Mielants, the film is based on the acclaimed novel by Irish writer Claire Keegan, published in 2021. The book won prizes such as the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, the Ambassadors’ Prize for best Irish novel published in France, and The Kerry Prize for Irish novel of the year.
Written by Enda Walsh and Claire Keegan, the film is set in 1985, delving into the dark history surrounding Ireland’s Magdalen laundries – gruesome institutions operated by Roman Catholic organizations from the 1800s until 1996, aimed at reforming “fallen young women.”
Cillian Murphy himself has helped produce the film alongside Alan Moloney and Catherine Magee, through their company Big Things Films. Director Mielants and Murphy have previously collaborated on the acclaimed series “Peaky Blinders.”
The film’s exploration of Ireland’s historical Magdalen laundries is expected to shed light on a dark chapter in the nation’s history, bringing awareness to social issues while delivering a powerful cinematic experience.
Carlo Chatrian, the Artistic Director of the Berlinale, expressed enthusiasm for the film, emphasizing its ability to portray kindness towards the fragile and the determination to stand up against injustice—and anticipates that audiences will be deeply moved. The decision to open the festival with “Small Things Like These” aligns with the broader celebration of Irish culture through Zeitgeist Irland 24, a year-long cultural event.
“Small Things Like These” stands as a compelling choice for the opening night and Competition. With a talented cast, a gripping storyline, and a commitment to shedding light on historical injustices, the film promises to set the tone for a festival that celebrates the power of cinema to explore, challenge, and inspire.
The Berlinale kicks off February 15 and runs until the 24th. It has already revealed the lineups for the panorama, forum and generation sections.