THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH gets HBO release
Emma Fogarty has lived a life that defied the odds. Diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare and devastatingly painful genetic condition that leaves skin so fragile it blisters and tears at the slightest touch, doctors predicted she would never reach 40. Yet here she is, approaching that milestone birthday, ready to take on an extraordinary challenge. When her longtime friend Colin Farrell learned of her goal to complete the Dublin Marathon, he didn’t hesitate to offer his support in the most literal sense—he would push her wheelchair for the final miles of the race.
This remarkable story of resilience and friendship is now coming to screens worldwide through THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH, a documentary directed by Rachel Fleit, who previously helmed the HBO Max feature BAMA RUSH. HBO Documentary Films has acquired worldwide TV and streaming rights to the film, ensuring it will reach audiences globally when it debuts on HBO and streams on HBO Max, including in the UK and Ireland, later this year. The film is set to have its world premiere at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival.
THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH is far more than a chronicle of a single marathon, however. It’s an intimate portrait of two lives intertwined by an enduring friendship that has sustained both Emma and Farrell through the years. The documentary captures not just the physical challenge of the Dublin Marathon, but the deeper emotional landscape of their relationship—a bond forged through adversity and sustained by genuine care. In following their journey together, the film offers a window into what it truly means to show up for someone, to refuse to let circumstances define the possible, and to find strength in connection.
For viewers, THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH promises to be both an inspiring testament to human determination and a moving exploration of friendship at its finest. As Farrell continues his work with HBO, including potential developments with THE PENGUIN, audiences will have the opportunity to see him in a wholly different light—not as an actor in a scripted drama, but as a devoted friend bearing witness to an extraordinary life.
