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Herself

Merman’s first feature film is the intimate, female-fronted drama HERSELF, which is set against the housing crisis. It is a co-production with Element Pictures. The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Set in Dublin, HERSELF is the story of young mother Sandra who escapes her abusive boyfriend and fights back against a broken housing system. She sets out to build her own home and in the process rebuilds her life and re-discovers herself. THE IRON LADY and MAMMA MIA! Director Phyllida Lloyd is helming.

Irish theatre actress Clare Dunne will star in the film from a script she co-wrote with Malcolm Campbell (WHAT RICHARD DID). The project marks rising actress Dunne’s first leading role in a feature. Among many stage roles, she previously played Prince Hal in the Donmar Theatre all-female version of Shakespeare’s HENRY IV., also directed by Lloyd. Production is planned for the end of April with financiers including Screen Ireland and BBC Films.

Written by
Clare Dunne & Malcolm Campbell

Director
Phyllida Lloyd

Starring
Clare Dunne

Award Wins
Irish Film and Television Academy Awards for:
Script Film

Irish Council for Civil Liberties Human Rights Award

Award Nominations
British Independent Film Awards, Best Actress for Clare Dunne

Longlist for BAFTA Film Awards for Outstanding British Film

Irish Film and Television Academy Awards for:
Best Film
Actress in a Lead Role, Film for Clare Dunne
Actor in a Supporting Role, Film for Conleth Hill
Actress in a Supporting Role, Film for Molly McCann
Production Design

 

“Clare Dunne is a revelation” IndieWire 

“moving, profound and uplifting” HeyUGuys 

A timely, empowering story” Variety 

**** reviews from:

Sunday World, Radio Times, The Times, Lovin Dublin, Film Ireland, Radio Nova, Hot Press, RTE Guide, Irish Examiner, Total Film, HeyUGuys, AZ Central, BBC Radio London, Smash Cut Reviews, The List, CineVue, Filmhounds, Flickering Myth 

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