PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF IRELAND

When single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne, who co-wrote the script) escapes her abusive husband (Ian Lloyd Anderson) with her two young children, she finds herself suddenly thrust into Ireland’s broken social housing system. Craving stability after months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of building a new home for herself. All she needs is a plot of land and €35,000 – which, of course, is easier said than done.

Fortunately for Sandra, however, she has lucked into a ragtag community of friends and supporters – including an architect and a building contractor – who all pitch in to help. But as her past rears its head once more and bureaucrats fight back against her independent spirit, will Sandra be able to rebuild her life from the ground up?

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, this inspirational Dublin-set drama tells a simple-yet-resonant story that substitutes clichéd melodrama for empathy and grace.