“PHILOMENA”– THE MOVIE

Film critics have hailed this emotional movie for its fine acting. The producers state it is not a documentary but is based on a true story. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart claim the movie is misleading as it does not tell the whole truth. The Sisters state they never received any payment of any nature for any adoption. Their records have not been destroyed but are stored now at the Health Service Executive (a government Department). The records are confidential to the mother who is the only one who can agree to sharing the information. Reunions have followed when the mother agrees. The final scene of confrontation between the journalist and Sr Hildegard never occurred as she died in 1995 before he began researching his book in 2004.     (cf Independent ie. 9/11/13)