Fast-forward to today, andSmall Things Like Theseis opening theBerlinFilm Festival.
Murphy stars in and producedSmall Things Like Thesealongside hisBig Things Filmspartner Alan Moloney.
(See more below.)
(L-R) Cillian Murphy and Matt DamonGetty
This revelation forces him to confront some hard truths about the convent, his hometown and his own life.
Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley and Emily Watson also star.
Murphy had previously executive produced three seasons ofPeaky Blinders, but this was his first feature producing role.
Cillian Murphy in ‘Small Things Like These’Shane O’Connor
(Hint: It certainly wasnt dinner conversation.)
Heres our chat which has been edited and condensed for clarity.
DEADLINE:How well did you guys know each other before you worked onOppenheimer?
MATT DAMON:We hadnt met.
DAMON:[laughing] Dont put any of this in the article, Nancy.
DEADLINE:Matt, how good a pitchman is Cillian?
Cillian had the director he wanted, it was just very, very easy to get it going.
So we knew that it was very specific, but that was where its universality came from.
DEADLINE:Matt, can you talk me through the collaboration?
It was really about facilitating so they could do their work.
It was really blissful, from our perspective back in America, it was a very light lift.
With us, its just What do you want to make?
So theres a lot of trust that I think might be difficult for other people.
Weve done five movies now and theyve all been really joyful experiences and thats by design.
These guys knew exactly what they wanted to do.
Did you give him any advice in that regard?
DAMON:[Laughs] He doesnt need my advice.
Just do the work(both laugh).
Matt would always be like, What if I come here?
I can do this, because he just lives and breathes it, so thats very inspiring to see.
Like me and Alan, this is our fifth movie together weve known each other for 20 years.
Myself and Tim, he did Season 3 onPeaky, were about to do another movie.
DEADLINE:Lets talk about Berlin.
Those invitations ultimately were rescinded after outcry from artists and the local industry.
Do you have any thoughts on the situation?
DEADLINE: Youve both been to the festival before, but what does the prospect this time feel like?
DAMON:Its huge for us that we got that slot, were really excited about it.
DEADLINE: Cillian what does opening Berlin represent for you?
and I dont really know, I dont have a proper answer.
DEADLINE: Do you guys hope to, plan to, intend to work together again?
DAMON:[Deadpans] Im never working with him again.
MURPHY:[Laughing] I promise Ill go for dinner with you, Matt, this time.
