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In 1952, a three-year-old boy was takenfrom his teenage mother by nuns and soldfor adoption. The story of her search forhim is told in a moving new lm

INTERVIEW: PHILOMENA LEE

Interview by LUCY COLLINS

Photography LOUISE HAYWOOD-SCHIEFER

Christmas bundles fromIreland, reads the newspapercaption accompanying thefamily photograph. A beamingcouple and their clean-

scrubbed sons gaze at the small childrenthey have adopted, Mary, two, andMichael, three.

The scene at Chicago airport markstheir homecoming, but the childrensapprehensive stares belie the happyoccasion. The picture captures the start

of their new life, far from their grievingmothers left behind in County Tipperary.

The cutting is preserved in a photoalbum belonging to Michaels mother,Philomena Lee. Her quest to nd herson, with the help of journalist MartinSixsmith, has been turned into a lmstarring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench.

In person, Philomena is far from thenaive, homely Irishwoman portrayed by Judi Dench; she is warm, intelligent andbrimming with humour. However, she

accepts that artistic licence has been used inthe storytelling and likes the lm. Besides,Dame Judi is tipped for an Oscar. I know!My goodness! says Philomena. Little oldme getting Judi Dench to play me. I couldnthave wished for anyone better.

We meet in a St Albans pub,accompanied by her daughter Jane

Libberton, and she tells me the sorrowfultale of a life shaped by secrets and shame.

Philomena, now , became pregnantout of wedlock when she was . I was

Michael'sarrival inChicago wasreported inthe media

Secrets, SHAME and a love denied

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