Heart-Warming Irish Film, Maudie, Released in Cinemas, Friday 4 August
Posted: 31st July 2017
Aisling Walsh’s Maudie, the heart-warming film based on true events, which charts the remarkable journey of the Nova Scotian folk artist, Maud Lewis, will be released in Irish cinemas, Friday 4 August. Maudie will also be the first Irish title to be given the 'F' rating from the Irish Film Institute, as part of a campaign to support Irish films directed or written by women.
Starring Oscar nominees Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine, Made in Dagenham, Jane Eyre) and Ethan Hawke (Boyhood, Training Day, Dead Poets Society), Maudie is an Irish/Canadian co-production and the latest film from Song for a Raggy Boy director, Aisling Walsh. The film received its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and also had a gala screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. It went on to be screened at the Berlin International Festival Festival (in Special Presentation), the Audi Dublin International Film Festival and most recently, the Galway Film Fleadh.
Maudie tells the story of Maud, a woman born with a severe form of arthritis, who is hired by Everett Lewis as his housekeeper. Maud turns out to be terrible with housework and she begins to cover the walls of his tiny home with her colourful paintings. Despite this, Everett unexpectedly finds himself falling in love with the little, bright-eyed woman who sees nothing but colour and beauty in the world.
Following the title’s Telluride world premiere, critics praised Hawkins’ nuanced portrayal of Maud’s “indefatigable optimism.” The Guardian commended Walsh’s in-depth character study that celebrates the life and craft of Maud in every frame, rather than focusing on making grand or complicated cinematic statements.
Maudie was produced by Susan Mullen at Parallel Films in Ireland, with Small Shack Productions and Painted House Films on board as Canadian co-producers.
Watch the trailer here.
Maudie is released in Ireland on Friday, 4 August by Sony Pictures Classic.