I just want to talk to you about my son. He was taken from me, and I've been looking for him ever since.
Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a “fallen woman”. When her baby was only a toddler, he was whisked away by the nuns to America for adoption. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him in vain.
Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary journalist as cynical as Philomena was trusting. Together they set off for America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena’s son, but also the powerful bond that grew up between Philomena and Martin – a surprising relationship that was both profoundly moving and very funny.
The film is a bitter-sweet comedy, a compelling narrative of human love and loss, and a heart-breaking story that ultimately celebrates life.
Awards
- BAFTA winning Best Adapted Screenplay for Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan. Nominated for 3 other BAFTA awards; Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Leading Actress for Judi Dench.
- Nominated for 4 Academy Awards; Best Motion Picture, Best Leading Actress for Judi Dench, Best Adapted Screenplay for Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan, Best Original Score for Alexandre Desplat.
- Winner British Actress of the Year at the London Critics Circle for Judi Dench.
- Nominated for 4 British Independent Film Awards; Best British Independent Film, Best Actress for Judi Dench, Best Actor for Steve Coogan, Best Screenplay for Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan.
- Winner of the Best Screenplay award at Venice Film Festival for Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan.
Starring:
Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Ruth McCabe, Anna Maxwell Martin, Sophie Kennedy Clark
Director:
Stephen Frears
Producers:
Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward
Screenplay:
Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope
Executive Producers:
Henry Normal, Christine Langan, Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken, Carolyn Marks Blackwood
Sales agent:
Distributor:
Credits summary:
Pathé, ±«Óătv Films and BFI present with the participation of Canal+ and Cine+ A Babycow/Magnolia Mae Production A Film by Stephen Frears
Certificate:
12A
Running time:
98 mins
Released
1 November 2013
Out on DVD
24 March 2014
Broadcast on
26 February 2016