Actor Cillian Murphy has opened up about the collective trauma experienced by the people of Ireland in the 1980s due to the church abuses, as a new film centered around the Magdalene Laundries scandal premiered at the Berlin film festival. The film, titled “Small Things Like These,” tells the story of Bill Furlong, played by Murphy, who accidentally uncovers the abuse happening at a local convent in New Ross, Ireland.
The Magdalene Laundries were church-run workhouses where women were sent as a punishment for engaging in premarital sex. These women were subjected to unpaid labor and isolation from society for over two centuries. The scandal surrounding these institutions came to light in 1993 when unmarked graves containing the remains of 155 women were discovered.
Speaking at a press conference before the film’s world premiere, Murphy described the impact of these revelations as a collective trauma, especially for those of a certain age. He emphasized that the processing of this trauma is still ongoing. “I think that we’re still processing that,” he said.
“Small Things Like These” is directed by Belgian filmmaker Tim Mielants and is based on Claire Keegan’s bestselling novel of the same name, which gained popularity in Ireland and beyond upon its release in 2020. Murphy highlighted the book’s ability to act as a balm for the wounds caused by the abuses. He stated, “I think the irony of the book is that it’s a Christian man trying to act Christian in a dysfunctional Christian society. And it asks a lot of questions about publicity and silence and shame, all of those things.”
The film, which marks the first Irish production to open the Berlin film festival, was adapted for the screen by Irish playwright Enda Walsh and produced by Artists Equity studio, owned by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Damon expressed his admiration for Murphy’s performance in another project and immediately offered to be a part of his next film. “I had already called Ben and told him what I was witnessing and how incredible it was. A couple of days later Cillian told me, ‘I have my next movie I really want to do.’ And I said, ‘We are starting a studio. Can we be a part of it?'” Damon shared.
In addition to Murphy, the film features Emily Watson, Michelle Fairley, and Eileen Walsh, who also appeared in Peter Mullan’s 2002 drama “The Magdalene Sisters,” which explored the same abuse scandal.
“Small Things Like These” sheds light on a dark chapter in Ireland’s history and aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding the church abuses of the past. Through the power of art, the film invites audiences to reflect on the questions of publicity, silence, and shame that continue to haunt society. As Murphy aptly puts it, “the duty of art is to talk to those questions.”