Cillian Murphy's Small Things Like These to open Berlin film Festival

Cillian Murphy’s adaption of Claire Keegan’s bestseller Small Things Like These is set to open the Berlin Film Festival this evening.

Joining the Oscar nominee are Zara Devlin, Emily Watson, Michelle Fairly and Eileen Walsh. Keegan’s novel of the same name was nominated for the 2021 Booker-Prize – with the author among the producers of the film.

The tale is set over Christmas in an Irish town in 1985, depicting father and coal merchant Bill Furlong, who discovers some unnerving secrets being held by the local convent.

Murphy joins forces with some long time collaborators for the feature, including Peaky Blinders director Time Mielants and playwright Enda Walsh, who wrote the script.

Small Things Like These was approved by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity (AE) and was filmed across Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin.

The movie has also received funding, and marks the first project by Murphy and Alan Moloney’s Big Thing Films.

"We are delighted that Small Things Like These will be the official Opening Film of the 2024 Berlinale,” said the duo (RTÉ)

"Having an Irish film open the Berlinale is a tribute to the power of storytelling at home, and we can't wait for audiences to see the film."

The Berlinale is among the largest public film festivals across the globe, drawing in thousands of visitors to the German capital annually.