90 minutes of nuns, laundry, and women refusing to break.
Powerful drama set in 1960s Ireland about a young, unmarried mother-to-be whose family sends her to a convent. There, out of sight of society, her work in the laundry provides her with close friendships, which bring hope and relief from daily prayer and penance. (Radio Times)
Acting
Anne-Marie Duff's silent resilience speaks volumes.
Direction
Walsh never lets you look away from systemic brutality.
Director
Aisling Walsh
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Magdalene Laundries operated until 1996; Ireland formally apologized in 2013. This film helped crack the silence.
Walsh based scenes on survivor testimonies—those 'small' punishments were documented reality, not dramatic invention.
IE
GB
