The Molly Films

The Molly Films

About the event

The Molly Films (Sentences 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7) Original concept: Seán Doran. An Arts Over Borders Production Republic of Ireland Premiere Screening Ages 18+
The Whale Theatre is proud to present the ROI premiere screening of The Molly Films (Sentences 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7). Commissioned and produced by Arts Over Borders for its YES Derry Festival at Bloomsday 2024 as part of the ULYSSES European Odyssey 2022-2024 project, this cinematic suite brings James Joyce’s most iconic female character to life through a groundbreaking contemporary lens. And, for the very first time, these short films will be screened on a single evening, enabling the audience to fully immerse and experience this unique work. 
In a reimagining of Ulysses’ legendary final episode, ‘Penelope’ with which Joyce famously closed his epic novel, Molly Bloom's unpunctuated, 50-page stream-of-consciousness soliloquy is structurally broken into eight massive, distinct sentences and these have been adapted into a series of short films produced by Arts Over Borders and directed by Ukrainian film-maker Sophie Muzychenko. 
This exclusive ROI premiere gathers five vital sentences of the project for one screening – the remaining three sentence sections to be completed in 2027 – featuring an extraordinary cast of world-renowned stage and screen actresses delivering powerful, deeply intimate monologues:
  • Sentence 1: Performed by Fiona Shaw
  • Sentence 3: Performed by Eve Hewson
  • Sentence 4: Performed by Adjoa Andoh
  • Sentence 5: Performed by Dame Harriet Walter
  • Sentence 7: Performed by Siobhán McSweeney 

This extraordinarily rich cast of actors each bring their own very particular interpretation to Molly’s reflections on love, sex, life and memory and reveal bold new dimensions in a classic text, focusing the narrative spotlight entirely on the female experience and voice. 
‘By connecting Molly to their own particular stages in life, Adjoa Andoh, Eve Hewson, Siobhán McSweeney, Fiona Shaw and Harriet Walter all open up new perspectives connecting her with us.’ Claire Brennan, The Guardian 

This special event will feature an exclusive post-screening conversation and audience Q&A. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from the originator and project producer Seán Doran (Founder and Director of ⁠Arts Over Borders) and acclaimed cinematographer director Sophie Muzychenko. The panel will delve into the creative process of adapting Joyce’s complex modernist text for the screen. 
CREATIVE TEAM: Cinematographer Director: Sophie Muzychenko, Literary Dramaturg: Liam Browne,Production Coordinator & AD: Meghna Gupta, Production Design: Kamil Dawid Sznajder, Gaffer: Kian Altman, Sound: Dennis Wheatley, Asst. Camera: Oscar Mills, Asst. Production Manager: Ciarán Doran, Make-up: Rebecca Zoe Hampson 
Screening format: Sentences 1, 3 & 4 – Interval – Sentences 5 & 7. Conversation / Q & A.

More upcoming events

See all events