An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) has made history as the first Irish language film to be selected to have its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.
Irish distributor Break Out Pictures, who recently acquired the film, announced that it will screen as part of the festival's Generation strand which showcases international feature films that tell stories through the eyes of their young protagonists and make their worlds tangible.
An Cailín Ciúin, which marks the feature film debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad, was shot on location in Meath and Dublin last year with funding from Screen Ireland, TG4 and the BAI as part of the Cine4 scheme.
Speaking on the historic Berlinale selection, Bairéad commented: "We are honoured and humbled to have been selected for the Berlinale and, in particular, for the Generation strand of the festival.
"An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) was influenced by several films which have played in this strand over the years, so it feels enormously gratifying to be joining their ranks."
The film tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) - a nine year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with foster parents for the summer. Despite a warm reception from the woman, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), the man of the house, Seán (Andrew Bennett), keeps his distance from Cáit.
However, over time, their strained relationship begins to deepen and Cáit blossoms and discovers a new way of living. 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 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 will screen in Berlin in February and hit Irish cinemas in spring 2022.
