The Quiet Girl

A gentle drama about the trials of childhood, Colm Bairead's feature debut is a film of beautiful simplicity. Set in rural Ireland in the early 1980s, it shows events through the eyes of nine-year-old Cait (Catherine Clinch), a shy, reserved child from a poor, rambunctious family. For the summer, she's sent to live on a dairy farm with her mother's cousin (Carrie Crowley) and her husband (Andrew Bennett). Gradually coming out of her shell, Cait begins to find her voice, while her guardians contend with secrets from their past. Inspired by Claire Keegan's short story Foster, this is one of the great Irish films of the 21st century. With dialogue in both English and Irish language, and note-perfect performances from the core cast, The Quiet Girl feels impressively authentic. Crafty low-angle camerawork conveys Cait's oft-overwhelmed perspective, and the story's emotional purity is sure to touch your heart.