Mary Robinson documentary to be shown in the UK
Filmed over three years, the documentary takes a deep-dive into Mary Robinson's career.
The first feature-length documentary about Ireland’s first female president, entitled , will embark on a UK three-city tour in Glasgow, Birmingham and London from January 28 to February 1.
The special screenings will take place as part of Irish Film and TV UK's (IFTUK) St Brigid's Film Festival 2025, in celebration of St Brigid's Day - a day in the Irish calendar committed to showcasing women’s achievements. Mary Robinson will attend the London screening at The Kiln Cinema, Kilburn and will be interviewed by Anne-Marie Tomchak of .
Mary Robinson detonated an electoral earthquake when she won the Irish Presidential election in 1990, famously declaring: “I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.”
, by celebrated director Aoife Kelleher, features never-seen-before home archive footage, as Mary Robinson tells her own story of her childhood in Ballina and career for the first time on screen. The documentary paints a portrait of a singularly influential force whose gift for bridging differences was instrumental in bringing about seismic change in Ireland.
A reforming constitutional lawyer and senator in her early career, Mary Robinson is known for her progressive positions on issues such as reproductive rights and the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1970s and 1980s, pushing against a conservative establishment. Later, as UN High Commissioner she built a lasting legacy, fearlessly challenging perpetrators of human rights abuses all over the world.
Filmed over three years, the documentary takes a deep-dive into her career as Robinson discusses the significant controversies throughout her tenure and her own regrets in professional life. The film is also a personal account in which Robinson reflects on the influence of her parents, growing up with three brothers, her time studying in the United States and her decision to marry a Protestant in 1970s Ireland.
Mary Robinson recently stepped down as chair of the Elders, a position she held for six years, having taken over from Nelson Mandela. Now at 80, she remains active in political life, campaigning for climate justice - a passion that has intensified since becoming a grandmother. The documentary is one of the two best-performing documentaries at the Irish box office over the last three years.
