The film made history upon its release and is truly a must-see.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Tuesday, 1 July) is An Cailín Ciúin (also known as The Quiet Girl), the brilliant 2022 Oscar-nominated Irish drama.
Based on the story ‘Foster’ by Claire Keegan, the Irish-language film is set in rural Ireland in 1981.
It revolves around a nine-year-old girl named Cait (an incredible Catherine Clinch) who is sent away from her overcrowded, dysfunctional family to live with foster parents (Andrew Bennett and Carrie Crowley, both also incredible) for the summer.
“Quietly struggling at school and at home, she has learned to hide in plain sight from those around her,” the plot synopsis reads.
“She blossoms in her foster parents’ care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.”
Written and directed by Colm Bairéad, An Cailín Ciúin does stunning work evoking the period in which it is set.
This is as it weaves a simple yet incredibly powerful coming-of-age story that should turn even the most typically stone-faced movie watcher into a weeping mess.
Holding a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film went on to make history by becoming the first Irish film ever to secure a nomination in the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film Category.
An Cailín Ciúin is airing on TV tonight on Film4 at 11.20pm. It will also be available to stream after it airs on Channel 4’s website.
Here are the other movies on TV this evening:
LA Confidential – Legend Xtra – 9pm
The incredible, Oscar-winning ’90s movie adaptation of James Ellroy’s dense period crime novel.
Kong: Skull Island – Sky Showcase – 9pm
Released in 2017, this ’70s-set, star-studded reboot sees a team of scientists exploring an uncharted island in the Pacific where they encounter the gigantic ape King Kong and a host of other terrifying creatures.
Van Helsing – ITV4 – 9pm
Famed monster hunter Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes.
While not well received upon its release in 2004, Van Helsing has gone on to be a bit of a cult favourite in some quarters.
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris – Film4 – 9pm
Lesley Manville plays Mrs Harris, who does indeed go to Paris, in this well-liked historical comedy drama.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery – Comedy Central – 9pm
“Groovy, baby!”
Rogue – Legend – 9pm
Megan Fox stars in this 2020 action thriller as a battle-hardened mercenary who leads a team of soldiers on a daring mission to rescue hostages in remote Africa that ends up going very awry.
Hamburger Hill – Legend – 11.05pm
An ’80s Vietnam war drama with Don Cheadle and Dylan McDermott.
Hannie Caulder – Legend Xtra – 11.40pm
A ’70s Western starring Raquel Welch, Robert Culp and Ernest Borgnine that Quentin Tarantino cites as a favourite of his.
