Cillian Murphy uncovers trauma at Irish Magdalene laundry
- Cillian Murphy stars in a film set in 1985 exploring the traumatic experiences of women in Magdalene laundries.
- The film is adapted from a novel by Claire Keegan and produced by Matt Damon.
- It aims to create conversation about the historical injustices faced by women, dedicated to the thousands affected by these institutions.
In 1985, Ireland witnessed the struggles of unmarried mothers sent to Magdalene laundries, institutions that enforced strict punitive measures on women deemed to have sinned by society’s standards. Cillian Murphy takes on the lead role in a film adaptation of Claire Keegan’s award-winning novel, capturing the essence of emotional trauma experienced by these women. The film, titled Small Things Like These, also marks Murphy's first project under his independent production company, Big Things. Murphy first pitched the story idea to prominent producer Matt Damon while on the set of Oppenheimer, emphasizing its deep narrative potential. The film not only showcases the skilled storytelling prowess inherent in Keegan's writing but also seeks to initiate crucial dialogues about long-ignored historical injustices towards women. The narrative captures the life of Bill Furlong, a coalman who uncovers the grim reality faced by the women in his community. Moreover, the movie is poignantly dedicated to over 56,000 women affected by these institutions from 1922 to 1998, providing a new lens on Ireland’s controversial history concerning social enforcement and rehabilitation practices. In 2013, a public apology was delivered by then-Irish prime minister Enda Kenny, acknowledging the suffering and exploitation endured by these women. Set to release in cinemas on November 1, 2024, the film aims to resonate with audiences, invoking empathy and awareness regarding the past injustices faced by vulnerable populations in Irish society.