Sherwood star Monica Dolan leads the cast of a hard-hitting Irish drama inspired by true events that has just secured UK distribution. Directed by Frank Berry, The Lost Children of Tuam won the Best Irish Film Award at Galway Film Fleadh last month and is now coming to our screens after screening at Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Counting Liam Neeson among its producers, The Lost Children of Tuam is based on a 2017 New York Times article by Dan Barry and follows Catherine Corless, who discovered that 796 children may have been buried in unmarked graves at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway.
In 2010, Corless made the harrowing discovery while researching for a local history class, beginning a battle for justice for the victims and the survivors of the home.
Enda Bowe
Related: UK film release dates
Picturehouse Entertainment has acquired UK distribution rights for the “powerful” film, as managing director Sara Frain said: “We were completely blown away by The Lost Children of Tuam.”
Frain continued: “It is a powerful and deeply moving story, with a truly remarkable central performance from Monica Dolan. We are looking forward to collaborating with Volta and the Element team once again to bring this important film to audiences across the UK and Ireland.”
Producer Andrew Lowe, CEO and founder of Element Pictures, commented on the acquisition, saying: “We are thrilled Volta and Picturehouse are joining forces again for this film that we are deeply passionate about.”
Enda Bowe
“Catherine Corless’ work has affected so many around the globe either personally connected to the Mother & Baby Homes or inspired by her activism, and we believe The Lost Children Of Tuam will have deep resonance with Irish and UK audiences and beyond.”
The film received positive reviews out of Galway Film Fleadh, with Screen International praising it as a “sensitive, unfussy drama” and Variety describing it as “restrained but deeply affecting”.
Also known as St Mary’s, the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home was one of Ireland’s several Catholic-run institutions housing unmarried mothers and their children in the 20th century.
The Lost Children of Tuam is yet to confirm a UK release date.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).