In the quiet corners of retirement, Marian’s world has shrunk to suffocating dimensions—annual holidays on repeat, a silent home, and a husband whose criticisms have become her daily soundtrack. VERDIGRIS, Patricia Kelly’s remarkable feature directorial debut, follows this retired woman’s journey as she secretly takes a job as a census enumerator in inner-city Dublin, far from her comfortable South Dublin suburb. Her husband Nigel, preoccupied with war figurines and class politics, maintains rigid control over their finances and her autonomy.

When Marian encounters Jewel, a young woman with a bruised face and sharp tongue, an unexpected friendship blooms. Their relationship becomes a sanctuary where Marian finally speaks her long-suppressed truths—her sexless marriage, body shame, and the isolated grief of multiple miscarriages. In turn, Marian offers Jewel the maternal guidance she never received. But this delicate connection fractures when Marian expresses concern about Jewel’s work as a sex worker, and Jewel bristles at perceived judgment. As their bond is tested, both women face escalating threats: Jewel from a dangerous client and Marian from her increasingly controlling husband whose grip tightens as her newfound confidence grows.

VERDIGRIS emerged as a true labor of love and determination. Kelly financed the film through a credit union loan and crowdfunding campaign, bringing together 40 cast and crew for an intensive 15-day shoot. Her persistence through a challenging editing process—whittling down an initial two-and-a-half-hour cut—paid off magnificently when the film claimed Best Independent Film at 2023’s Oscar-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh, followed by Best Irish Film and the Audience Award at Newport Beach Film Festival in LA.

The film’s genesis traces back to Kelly’s own experience as a census enumerator, with the script meticulously workshopped with actors and refined through training and writing groups. In just 95 minutes, VERDIGRIS tackles an ambitious range of themes—sexuality, bodily shame, domestic violence, class divides, found family, and personal autonomy. Yet it’s at its most compelling when focusing on the healing relationship between two wounded women.

The performances anchor the film’s emotional weight, particularly Geraldine McAlinden’s heartbreaking portrayal of Marian. Though familiar from small roles in BLACK ’47, THE SECRET SCRIPTURE, and BAD SISTERS, McAlinden finally steps into a well-deserved spotlight, delivering a quiet, grounded performance charged with profound emotional resonance. Maya O’Shea’s defensive generosity as Jewel creates a chemistry with McAlinden that elevates their scenes together, with Marian’s eventual emotional breakdown standing as the film’s most powerful moment.

Dublin itself emerges as a character through Tania Freimuth’s precise cinematography, which crafts distinct visual worlds for each setting—from claustrophobic domestic spaces to liberating seaside walks. Two-time Emmy-nominated composer Joseph Conlan complements this visual storytelling with a succinct score that enhances without overwhelming. These creative elements coalesce into something greater than their parts: a showcase of emerging Irish talent and a triumph of grassroots filmmaking.

VERDIGRIS is now playing in selected cinemas, representing the best kind of debut—one that turns heads and opens doors for its creator and cast alike.