HERSELF tells the story of Sandra, a young mother who seeks to rebuild her life from scratch, and provide a safe home for her two young daughters. In order to do so, she must escape the grip of a possessive ex-partner, circumnavigate a broken housing system, and bring together a community of friends who can support her and lend a helping hand.
When Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, finding a home to call their own seems impossible. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides her with plans and is offered land by Peggy (Harriet Walter), a woman she cleans for. Aido (Conleth Hill), a building contractor, appears willing to help, too. But as her past rears its head in the form of Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson), her possessive ex, and as bureaucrats fight back against her independent spirit, will Sandra be able to rebuild her life from the ground up?
HERSELF is led by acclaimed director Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!, The Iron Lady) and emerging Irish actor Clare Dunne, who plays Sandra, and is widely known for her theatre work, including Lloyd’s all-female stage version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV.
Dunne also envisaged the story, co-writing the screenplay with Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did). Key cast includes Harriet Walter (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Killing Eve, Succession) and Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones, Dublin Murders).
The film was co-developed by Element Pictures (The Favourite, Room) and Merman (Divorce, Catastrophe, Women on the Verge), and is produced by Rory Gilmartin, Ed Guiney and Sharon Horgan.
DIRECTOR: Phyllida Lloyd
WRITTEN BY: Clare Dunne & Malcolm Campbell
CAST: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill, Ian Lloyd Anderson, Ruby Rose O’Hara & Molly McCann
RELEASE DATE:
December 30, 2020 | In-Theaters
January 8, 2021 | Amazon Prime Video
