THE MAGDALENE SISTERS wins Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Last night THE MAGDALENE SISTERS by Peter Mullan scooped the Golden Lion, the top prize, at the closing ceremony of the 59th Venice film festival. The film stars Geraldine McEwan, Anne-Marie Duff and Eileen Walsh.
Ireland's now infamous Magdalene laundries, run by the Sisters of Mercy, were places where young girls were sent by their families or orphanages to atone for their 'sins'. They found themselves working, unpaid and often abused, in very harsh conditions. The film follows the fortunes of four of these women.
Executive Producer Ed Guiney (whose credits include DISCO PIGS and SWEETY BARRETT) said "I am absolutely thrilled by this prestigious international award for THE MAGDALENE SISTERS. Peter Mullan has made a deeply moving and uncompromising film that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. I am sure that audiences everywhere will respond very strongly to it. The film also showcases a group of wonderfully talented young Irish actors which I think bodes well for the future”
"It is a brave and timely film about an important story that has been hidden from history" said Rod Stoneman, IFB Chief Executive. "It is marvellous that in the same year as two short animations GIVE UP YER AUL SINS and 50% GREY were nominated for Oscars, BLOODY SUNDAY won the Golden Bear in Berlin and THE MAGDALENE SISTERS has won the Golden Lion. Films that Bord Scannan na hEireann has supported have won two of Europe's major prizes."
THE MAGDALENE SISTERS opens the Cork Film festival on 6th October and will be released throughout Ireland on 25th October.
The last Irish feature to win in Venice was MICHAEL COLLINS in 1996 where it scooped the Golden Lion and Best Actor award for Liam Neeson.