Cillian Murphy’s ‘Small Things Like These’ Acquired by Lionsgate for North America, U.K.

"Small Things Like These," the Irish drama featuring newly-minted Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, which opened at the Berlinale earlier this year, has secured a domestic distributor. Variety has learned that Lionsgate has acquired the film for release in the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland.

Lionsgate will collaborate with Roadside Attractions for the North American theatrical release.

Based on Claire Keegan's Booker Prize-nominated book and directed by Tim Mielants, "Small Things Like These" premiered to strong reviews in Berlin. Murphy stars as Bill, a soft-spoken coal delivery driver and devoted father in 1980s Ireland, who discovers troubling activities at the local convent, led by Emily Watson’s fearsome nun Sister Mary. Watson's performance earned her the Berlinale’s Silver Bear award.

The film is produced and financed by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity, and it is the first feature from Murphy’s new company, Big Things Films, established with producer and longtime collaborator Alan Maloney.

"Small Things Like These" reunites director Mielants and Murphy, who previously collaborated on the BAFTA-winning series "Peaky Blinders." The screenplay adaptation was written by Enda Walsh, another frequent collaborator of Murphy’s. Catherine Magee is also a producer, along with Murphy and Maloney. For Artists Equity, Damon and Drew Vinton serve as producers, with Affleck, Kevin Halloran, and Michael Joe as executive producers. The film is an Irish/Belgian co-production, with additional funding from Screen Ireland and co-production support from Belgium’s Wilder Films.

Read the whole article on Variety.