The Cinematheque

“The film is as candid and as pleasurable as O’Brien’s novels… The light may have dimmed on her celebrity, but this documentary is a revelation.”

Thom Powers, TIFF 2024

In 1960, a young Irish author named Edna O’Brien wrote a sexually frank debut novel called The Country Girls. An international literary sensation, her success and notoriety enraged her writer husband and made her a pariah in Ireland, where her books were banned. Undaunted, she would move to London, where she conducted numerous love affairs, hosted star-studded parties, and made and lost a fortune. In July 2024 O’Brien passed away. This film provides a final testimony from her, aged 93, as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea. Granting the director access to her personal journals, read aloud in the film by Oscar-winning Irish actor Jessie Buckley, and with additional perspectives offered from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley, and other renowned artists, O’Brien does not shy away from any subject.

In English

“A fitting tribute … Sinead O’Shea’s warm, empathetic documentary [is] executed in the same spirit of openness and friendship that O’Brien brought to her own headlong passions.” Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International

Streaming
December 1 (Tuesday) through
December 20 (Sunday)

To stream this film:
Follow this link to the virtual platform.
Purchase a ticket for $12 (plus tax) or purchase a multi-film pass (details below). 

Once rented, you will have until December 15 to start the film. After the film is started, you will have 72 hours to finish watching it.

If you are having technical issues with the stream, please click here.
You can also contact EUFF directly by emailing info@​euffonline.​ca.

This film is available to stream in Canada only. 

Five Virtual Film Bundle: $50 (plus tax)
Online Festival Pass: $100 (plus tax) 

Please note: Tickets to in-person screenings do not include access to online EUFF offerings, nor vice versa.