Philomena

Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in the moving true story of a woman's epic search for her son. Fifty years ago, naive young Irish girl Philomena Lee (Sophie Kennedy Clark) fell pregnant. This landed her in one of the Catholic Church's notorious Magdalene Laundries as a 'fallen woman'. Her baby boy was subsequently snatched away by nuns and sold to a rich American couple. Today, Philomena (Judi Dench) is a retired nurse who's still desperate to track down her son. Former BBC TV correspondent turned government spin-doctor Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) is sufficiently intrigued to help her. The mismatched duo then embark on a journey that creates a surprising bond between them. Adapted from Sixsmith's book 'The Lost Child of Philomena Lee', this is a charming, touching and unexpectedly funny drama. Directed by Stephen Frears, of 'The Queen' fame, 'Philomena' was received rapturously by critics when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival.