Great news for fans ofOppenheimerstar and Oscar winnerCillian Murphy, asLionsgate has now acquired distribution rights in North America, the UK and Ireland to the upcoming movieSmall Things Like These. The adaptation of Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel stars Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy andEmily Watsonand is directed by Tim Mielants. The project reunites director Tim Mielants (Will, The Responder) and Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, A Quiet Place Part II),who previously worked together on the BAFTA Award-winningseriesPeaky Blinders. Enda Walsh, a longtime collaborator of Murphy’s, wrote the screenplay adaptation.
You can check out the official synopsis forSmall Things Like Thesebelow.
“Small Things Like These, which was the opening night film playing in competition at the Berlin Film Festival this year and won a Silver Bear for Emily Watson’s performance, takes place over Christmas in 1985, when devoted father Bill Furlong (Murphy) discovers the startling secrets being kept by the convent in his town, and some shocking truths about his own life as well.”
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The film was produced by Murphy and his producing partner Alan Moloney through their production company Big Things Films and was financed and put into production by Artists Equity, the artist-led studiofounded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The studio will partner with Roadside Attractions for North American theatrical distribution. Catherine Magee also serves as a producer along with Murphy and Moloney. For Artists Equity, Matt Damon and Drew Vinton produce, and Ben Affleck, Kevin Halloran, and Michael Joe executive produce.
Cillian Murphy Calls Small Things Like These a ‘Labor of Love’
Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, is excited to bringSmall Things Like Theseto audiences, calling Claire Keegan’s story “captivating, heart-wrenching, and empathetically told.”
“We are incredibly proud to bring this film to audiences. Claire Keegan’s book is a captivating, heart-wrenching, and empathetically told story of a character who uncovers not only a local mystery, but also discovers who he really is. Cillian is at the peak of his powers, both as an actor and a producer, and it’s exciting to work with Matt and Ben to distribute a film they have shepherded so lovingly. It’s especially meaningful for us to be distributing in Ireland, where we are confident audiences will embrace the film.”
Cillian Murphy, meanwhile, described making the movie as a “labor of love,” and heaped praise on Artists Equity.
“Especially since Small Things Like These marks the first project from Big Things Films, I’m particularly pleased Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will bring it to audiences in Ireland, the US and UK. Making the film was labor of love; I can’t wait to talk about it. We are enormously grateful to Artists Equity for their unwavering support throughout this process. From the moment we shared the script, they have been there for us, and we are immensely grateful for their philosophy and partnership.”
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Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Co-Founders of Artists Equity, added that they could not be “prouder” of the movie and cannot wait for audiences in the U.S., U.K.,and Ireland to see it.
“When Cillian and Alan Moloney brought this project to us, we instantly said we wanted to help bring it to life. We couldn’t be prouder of that decision. This is simply a wonderful film, one that we think really does justice to Claire Keegan’s astounding, poignant novella. We are elated to partner with Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions so audiences across the U.S., U.K. and particularly Ireland will be able to see it.”
Finally, Roadside Attractions’ co-presidents Eric d’Arbeloff and Howard Cohen added:
“Seeing Cillian Murphy, one of the world’s greatest actors, back on his home turf in Ireland in such a powerful film will be a joy for film lovers. While everyone knows Emily Watson is also extraordinary, her performance in Small Things Like These left us stunned when we saw the film in Berlin. We are so excited to be partnering with Lionsgate and Artists Equity on the release.”
Small Things Like Thesehas not yet been given a release date.
