Desmond Doyle is devastated when his philandering wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children, Evelyn, Noel and Brendan, make it clear to the authorities that his is an untenable situation. The Catholic Church and the Irish courts decide the Doyle children put into Church-run orphanages.
Although a sympathetic judge assures Desmond that when his financial situation reverses, he will be able to get his children back; money is hard to come by. During that time, Evelyn and her brothers suffer the abuses of living in orphanages while Desmond struggles to secure finances. Now he must battle the courts to get his children back.
AWARDS:
- Australian Cinematographers Society
2004 Won "Award of Distinction"
Features: Andre Fleuren
- Bangkok International Film Festival
2003 Nominated "Golden Kinnaree Award"
Best Film: Bruce Beresford
- Irish Film and Television Awards
2003 Nominated "Audience Award"
Best Irish Film
- Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
2003 Nominated "PFCS Award"
Best Performance by a Youth in a Leading or Supporting Role - Female: Sophie Vavasseur
- Political Film Society, USA
2003 Nominated "PFS Award"
Exposй
Human Rights
- Young Artist Awards
2003 Nominated "Young Artist Award"
Best Family Feature Film - Drama
Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actress Age Ten or Under: Sophie Vavasseur