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Irish language film, An Cailín Ciúin from the Cine4 scheme by TG4, Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will be released in cinemas across Ireland and the UK from May 12th.  The film is distributed by Break Out Pictures in Ireland and by Curzon in the UK.  The Irish-language feature film had its world premiere in February at the Berlinale film festival in Berlin where it scooped The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for Best Film. It was the first Irish language film to open the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival also in February and was awarded Best Irish Film by the Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC).

An Cailín Ciúin won eight Irish Film and Television Academy awards at the recent IFTAs including BEST FILM, BEST DIRECTOR and LEAD ACTRESS FILM. The film has wowed critics and audiences alike with Screen Daily believing it:

“should be seen as a classic of its kind”

and Little White Lies saying it:

“Grips you, rips you apart, before putting you back together and making you whole again”.

Paul Whitington, Irish Independent says: 

“The adaptation of a Claire Keegan story might be the best Irish film yet.”

An Cailín Ciúin tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) – a nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with her mother’s relatives for the summer. She is welcomed with open arms by Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), but her husband (Andrew Bennett) keeps Cáit at arm’s length. Slowly, but surely a warmth grows within this makeshift family and Cáit blossoms in their care. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.

Based on the acclaimed story, Foster by Claire Keegan, AN CAILÍN CIÚIN (THE QUIET GIRL) is a complex and delicate coming-of-age drama that explores questions of family, neglect and loss through the eyes of its young protagonist.

An Cailín Ciúin is the feature film debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal. It was shot on location in Meath and Dublin in 2020.

Director Colm Bairéad said: 

“We are thrilled that An Cailín Ciúin will be making its way into cinemas both here at home and in the UK via Break Out Pictures and Curzon. We made this film, first and foremost, for the big screen and for the communal cinema experience and we’re delighted that audiences will get to see it in this way.”

Louisa Dent, Curzon Film MD said:

 “AN CAILÍN CIÚIN (THE QUIET GIRL) is a marvel. The action is so carefully observed but carries a powerful emotional punch. We can’t wait to start working with Colm Bairéad and the team at Break Out Pictures on the release.”

and Robert Finn from Break Out Pictures added:

“After such an incredible reaction following Berlin, we are delighted in this joint release with Curzon Film to be bringing AN CAILÍN CIÚIN to cinemas across Ireland and the UK from May 13th. AN CAILÍN CIÚIN is the very best of global independent cinema and we can’t wait for audiences to see it.”