11/03/2019 - The English film and stage director is working on her third feature, a Dublin-set drama tackling domestic abuse and the current housing crisis

The first clapperboard for Phyllida Lloyd’s new project will slam at the end of April. The British film and stage director, best known for her musical Mamma Mia! [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2008) and her Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] (2011), is now preparing the shoot for Herself [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Clare Dunne
film profile], a Dublin-set drama. The plot follows the story of Sandra (Clare Dunne), a young Irish mother of two daughters, who escapes her abusive boyfriend and fights back against a broken housing system. Sandra sets out to build her own home and, in the process, rebuilds her life and re-discovers herself. Theatre actress Dunne (Monged) is taking on her first lead role on the big screen and co-wrote the script with Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

The movie is being produced by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Dublin-based Element Pictures, and Sharon Horgan for independent British firm Merman. Speaking about the script and the film’s subject, producer Ed Guiney said: “The script is very fresh, and full of heart and integrity. Clare wrote it for herself to star in, and she is an excellent actress. The combination of producers and creatives was an exciting one for us, and it’s great to be involved in a project with strong new talent. The film’s subject will really resonate in the UK, Ireland and the USA.”

Currently, there seems to be no end in sight for the Irish housing crisis. Over the last few years, rents have soared dramatically as a result of the shortage of housing, making cities such as Dublin, Cork and Galway among the most expensive in Europe. Spiralling rents are attracting corporate landlords like never before, and the growth of big multinational firms is adding to the demand for housing.

Finally, Herself has received financial support from BBC Films (UK) and Screen Ireland, with the Irish film agency having granted development support and two provisional offers of commitment to the production. The movie will be ready for an international release in 2020.