Irish celebs and film fans joined actors Eric Bana and Susan Lynch, along with film director Jim Sheridan at Dublin’s Savoy Cinema for the Audi Dublin International Film Festival gala screening of the film The Secret Scripture.
TV3’s Lisa Cannon and designer Sonya Lennon were amongst the well-known faces on the red carpet. Jim Sheridan also invited recently engaged former Apollo House residents Mark Seenan and Cheryl Murphy to see the film on the night.
The Secret Scripture is based on Sebastian Barry’s acclaimed novel and explores the life and history of Roseanne McNulty (Vanessa Redgrave), a woman confined to the Roscommon Mental Hospital for 50 years.As the institution is about to close, Dr. Grene (Eric Bana) is sent to see whether she’s fit to be released.
He’s intrigued by Roseanne’s eccentricities and her fierce attachment to her Bible, in which she’s been keeping a diary since she was first admitted.As he delves into her past, Dr. Grene gets to know the younger Roseanne (played by Rooney Mara) and eventually learns the terrible truth about her confinement.
Shot in the starkly beautiful west of Ireland, The Secret Scripture uncovers a dark chapter in Ireland’s history. It’s also Jim Sheridan’s first Irish-set film since 1997 hit The Boxer.