Great news for Irish language film has been revealed today, with An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) selected to have its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.

Irish distributor Break Out Pictures recently acquired the film, and announced that it will screen as part of the festival's Generation strand. This facet of the festival showcases international feature films that tell stories through the eyes of their young protagonists and make their worlds tangible.

An Cailín Ciúin marks the feature film debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad. The project was shot on location in Meath and Dublin last year as a result of acquired funding from Screen Ireland, TG4 and the BAI as part of the Cine4 scheme. Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal produced the work.

Speaking about the historic Berlinale selection, Bairéad said: "We are honoured and humbled to have been selected for the Berlinale and, in particular, for the Generation strand of the festival.

"An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) was influenced by several films which have played in this strand over the years, so it feels enormously gratifying to be joining their ranks."

Dearbhla Regan, Project Manager for Film at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland said: “We are delighted to congratulate writer/director Colm Bairéad and the creative team behind An Cailín Ciúin on the film’s Official Selection to the Berlin Film Festival. Its World Premiere in Berlin next February will provide an excellent platform to enter the international marketplace and to connect with festival audiences, adding to a new wave of Irish-language filmmaking. An Cailín Ciúin is a very special film and we can’t wait for audiences at home and around the world to see this film next year.”

The film tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) - a nine year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with foster parents for the summer. Despite a warm reception from the woman, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), the man of the house, Seán (Andrew Bennett), keeps his distance from Cáit.

However, over time, their strained relationship begins to deepen and Cáit blossoms and discovers a new way of living. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.

Based on the acclaimed story Foster by Small Things Like These author Claire Keegan, An Cailín Ciúin is a complex and delicate coming-of-age drama that explores questions of family, neglect and loss through the eyes of its young protagonist.

Stay tuned for the film's premiere in February and a Spring 2022 cinema release for the Irish language gem.

 

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