ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Film Fest Gent 51st Edition

‘Small Things Like These’ 
by Tim Mielants to open 51st edition
 Film Fest Gent


Small Things Like These, Belgian director Tim Mielants’ third feature, is the official opening film of Film Fest Gent 2024 and will kick off the 51st edition on Wednesday 9 October. The subdued yet poignant drama starring Oscar winner Cillian Murphy tells the story of a coal merchant in 1980s Ireland who discovers the local convent’s shocking secret.

Irish-Belgian production Small Things Like These will have its Belgian premiere as the official opening film of Film Fest Gent. Back in February, the film had the honour of opening the Berlinale, where it received rave reviews from the international press. Actress Emily Watson won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actress.

Small Things Like These is adapted from the novel of the same name by Irish author Claire Keegan - known for her short story Foster, which previously received a film adaptation as The Quiet Girl. The story is set in 1980s Ireland, where the Catholic Church wielded a stifling influence. Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy), a coal merchant and father of five daughters, lives a modest life. His peaceful existence is disrupted when he discovers a secret in the local convent, headed by Sister Mary (Emily Watson). This discovery forces Bill to reconsider his silence.

Without referring to them by name, Small Things Like These sheds light on the abusive practices of Ireland’s notorious Magdalene laundries where women - mostly young, unwed single mothers - were housed in deplorable conditions. In 2013, an official apology was issued by the Irish state to the tens of thousands of victims.


“I am beyond proud that Small Things Like These joins the wonderful films that premiered here in Ghent. The film is about the power of small, everyday moments and how precisely those moments can change our lives. Values that I also find in the tradition of this festival.” - Tim Mielants, director Small Things Like These

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Over the past few years, Belgian filmmaker Tim Mielants has gained acclaim at home and abroad. Before venturing into feature filmmaking with Patrick (2019), he directed the third season of British TV series Peaky Blinders (2016), where he worked with Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor who won an Oscar in March for his role as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s much-discussed biopic. Following the success of Patrick and WIL (2023), Mielants and Murphy teamed up again for Small Things Like These. Murphy and Alan Moloney initially commissioned the adaptation from Enda Walsh through their company Big Things Films. Murphy personally handed the script to Mielants, which led to Matt Damon joining as a producer through Artists Equity, the studio he co-founded with Ben Affleck, which financed the film.

Besides Tim Mielants, there was also a large Belgian contribution at several other positions. The tactile photography is by DoP Frank van den Eeden (Close, Holly) and the editing by Alain Dessauvage (Close, La civil). Senjan Jansen wrote the film  score.

“We cannot be prouder. Opening our 51st edition with a powerful international film directed by one of our own feels like a reward for everyone involved, including our audience. This strikingly understated yet gripping drama starring Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson is produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, among others, but wears the Belgian colours on its flag. Not only is the controlled direction in the hands of Tim Mielants (who became the very first Flemish director ever to open an A-film festival like the Berlinale), much of the (post-)production was overseen by Belgian creatives (editing, music, co-producers, and the extraordinary photography). For our festival, it’s a dream scenario to present an opening film with so much local talent.” - Wim De Witte, programme director Film Fest Gent


Small Things Like These is a production by Murphy and Alan Moloney via Big Things Films together with Catherine Magee. Matt Damon and Drew Vinton are the producers for Artists Equity. Additional financing came from Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann and the film was co-produced in Belgium by Wilder Content, the production company of Tim Mielants and Bert Van Dael.


Kinepolis Film Distribution will release Small Things Like These in Belgian theatres in November 2024.








ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Film Fest Gent 51st Edition
Royal Arts Visions web August 17, 2024
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