In an interview, Tim Mielants discusses his project 'Small Things Like These' and collaborating with Cillian Murphy, emphasizing that silence equals complicity.
A few months following his Oscar victory for "Oppenheimer," actor Cillian Murphy once again graces the big screen in "Small Things Like These," a powerful production directed by Tim Mielants and adapted from Claire Keegan's eponymous novel.
During an interview, Mielants shared his thoughts on the story, revealing, "Reading the book, I instantly felt the theme of loss. I've experienced that pain and tragedy myself, which is why I immediately connected with it. I thought, let's delve deeper into this with an artist like Cillian, and truly explore its depths - that was the reason behind investing two years of my life into this project."
Set in Ireland during Christmas of 1985, the film sees Murphy portray Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of four daughters, who uncovers the dark secrets hidden within his town's convent.
The dark truth unveiled by Furlong uncovered the existence of the Magdalene Laundries, operational in Ireland from the 1920s to 1996. Approximately 10,000 women were sent to these workhouses, controlled by the Catholic Church, where they were enslaved. The laundries served as a means of punishing these "fallen women," many of whom were pregnant and unmarried; their babies were forcibly taken away from them shortly after giving birth.
Having been born in Belgium, I questioned Mielants about any apprehensions he may have harbored regarding showcasing the film in Ireland. Given the book's widespread success within the nation, I inquired whether the emotional turmoil of witnessing the tragedy on the silver screen might differ from the emotional impact experienced through reading the book. Mielants responded, "As a foreigner, I was well-informed about the subject matter, but I remained open and acknowledged, ‘I don’t possess this story.’"
He further explained, "This film resonates with a universal theme, that when you remain silent, you become an accomplice. And it's crucial to recognize that when an institution wields absolute power, unchecked questioning will inevitably lead to abuse."
Chance encounters lead Bill Furlong to the knowledge of the institution's wrongdoings. During a delivery, Furlong watches as a young girl is forced by her parents to enter the convent, weeping and pleading to change their minds. Later, he wanders the chilling corridors of the convent, where the cries of enslaved babies can be heard in a distant room.
The unfortunate fate of many of these newborns was deprivation, cold, neglect, and death. Those who were fortunate enough to survive were adopted and sold to foreign families.
Mielants made the conscious decision to withhold the tragic images of the babies being mistreated or abandoned by the nuns. He explained, "We rely on our audience's powerful imagination to fill in the gaps, and that is precisely what we sought."
Murphy delivers a remarkable performance in "Small Things Like These," and his unparalleled talent is amplified in his interactions with an intimidating Emily Watson, portraying Sister Mary.
The tense dynamic between them places Furlong in a submissive role, as if they had reverted to their patient-teacher relationship. In one scene, Furlong attempts to extricate information about a young girl, Sarah, who he found sleeping in the coal shed.
As Furlong presses for answers, Sister Mary's demeanor becomes increasingly disturbing, and ultimately, she bribes Furlong with money to pay for a thoughtful gift for his wife, Eileen (played by the captivating Eileen Walsh).
Mielants explained, "This series of events served as a symbol of Bill's descent into his deepest traumas. Somewhat unintentionally, he had unwittingly returned to the convent where he had experienced profound emotional turmoil during his childhood. Emotionally, he is unable to confront the trauma head-on, leading him to feel as if he is entering both his conscious and unconscious mind."
He further elaborated, "This scene provides a creative space for us to explore the realm of the subconscious, and in doing so, we experiment with sound and Watson's mesmerizing acting style."
Despite the ongoing awards season, "Small Things Like These" merits recognition for its remarkable direction, superb cinematography, and profoundly moving performances, particularly from Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson.
- Discussing the film's impact, Mielants mentioned, "I believe the emotional impact of 'Small Things Like These' might be even stronger on screen, especially during awards season, as audiences worldwide will connect with Claire Keegan's powerful narrative and Cillian Murphy's poignant portrayal of Bill Furlong."
- Reflecting on his casting choices, Mielants shared, "Securing acclaimed actors like Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson for 'Small Things Like These' was a crucial step in ensuring that the small things like these are not forgotten during awards seasons, shedding light on the dark history of the Magdalene Laundries."
- As the awards season approaches, Claire Keegan's novel adaptation directed by Tim Mielants and featuring a stellar cast, including Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson, garners significant attention and recognition for its powerful depiction of the harrowing experiences at the Magdalene Laundries.
