Films

I thought it was lovely. Judi Dench was, mm, choosing words carefully, a no-nonsense Irish lady. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer but oodles of common sense and she surprises you with her insights. Terribly touching.

Really moving story in that film. Heartbreaking in fact. Babies taken from their mothers by the church/Irish state at birth (mother's denied analgesia during the birth because of their unmarrieded shame).

Unfair to say Philomena wasn't the sharpest knife though... More like green as grass due to being brought up within a convent from the age of 8-18, and only being allowed out once per year. The book will make your blood boil... The frank exploitation of young women and children for the financial gain of the catholic church, the secrecy, lies, cruelty, and personal tragedy, and all because the church can't countenance the idea of sex outside of marriage. Philomena now trying to get the Irish govt to allow access to adoption records, although too late for many mother's whose children were taken 60 plus years ago.