New film on Tuam Mother and Baby Home to get world premiere at Galway Film Fleadh
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The Lost Children of Tuam, a film based on a New York Times article about the Tuam Mother and Baby Home, will get its world premiere in Galway next month. It will be screened on Saturday, July 11, at 8.20pm as part of the 38th annual Galway Film Fleadh.
An article with that headline, which was written by Dan Barry for the New York Times in 2017, reported on how local historian Catherine Corless had discovered that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves at the site of the Bon Secours home in Tuam.
Realising the enormity of what had happened to the children, many of whom had died as babies, the Tuam historian began a tireless, fearless campaign for justice for victims and survivors of the home, the impact of which has resonated far and wide.
The film rights to The New York Times article were acquired by actor Liam Neeson and the result is this production with a powerful ensemble cast that includes award-winning Monica Dolan (Sherwood, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) who plays Catherine Corless. Also featuring is Andrew Bennett (God’s Creatures, The Quiet Girl) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls). It's directed by Frank Berry (Aisha, Michael Inside) and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (The Salt Path, She Said).
Through the experiences of survivors, families and campaigners, The Lost Children of Tuam explores one of the most painful and appalling chapters in modern Irish history.
The film's premiere, on Saturday, July 11, will be attended by key cast and creative crew members.
Meanwhile, the woman who inspired it is delighted that the story of what happened in the Bon Secours home is now being told on the big screen.
"A brilliant director, exceptional writer, multi-skilled producers and a whole team of dedicated people have put their hearts and energy into The Lost Children of Tuam, to portray the truth of what really happened in the Tuam Home. I am indebted to you all,” said Catherine Corless.
Film Fleadh Programmer Charlene Lydon praised director Frank Berry for bringing "immense sensitivity, compassion and humanity" to this story, "creating a film that honours the lives of the children and the experiences of survivors, while confronting a painful chapter of our history".
She added that the Fleadh was honoured to host its premiere and give a platform to "a story that continues to resonate in Ireland and around the world".
Describing the Film Fleadh as a festival "very close to my heart", Frank Berry said that all who had been involved in the production "could not imagine a more meaningful and fitting start to the journey of this film" than its Galway premiere.
Liam Neeson, who has been so central to the making of The Lost Children of Tuam, is the producer for El Paso Films. The co-producers are Jules Daly for Big Red Films, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Oscar-winning Element Pictures and Martina Niland for Port Pictures. The film is being presented by Screen Ireland and BBC Film in association with Fremantle, Coimisiún na Meán, MK2 and RTÉ.
In addition to presenting The Lost Children of Tuam, Frank Berry will give the Director's Masterclass at this year's Fleadh.
At that event, the Dublin director and former Fleadh award-winner will discuss his work, his creative process and his commitment to telling powerful, socially resonant stories. This event will give audiences and emerging filmmakers a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of Ireland's most respected contemporary directors.
Director of Programming at the Fleadh, Miriam Allen said Frank Berry's work "exemplifies the kind of courageous and compassionate filmmaking that the Galway Film Fleadh is proud to champion".
Tickets for the Director's Masterclass and all Film Fleadh industry events are available through the festival website, www.galwayfilmfleadh.com.
The full programme for the 38th Fleadh will be launched next Tuesday, June 23, and the festival will run from July 7-12.
The Lost Children of Tuam will receive its world premiere at 8.20pm on July 11 at theTown Hall Theatre. Tickets are available now at www.tht.ie.