Plot

Women from Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes are suing for justice, accountability, and legal action against church and state institutions, supported by Justice for Magdalenes.

TESTIMONY is a profoundly moving documentary that chronicles the fight for justice by survivors of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes. It captures the determination of these women, supported by the advocacy group Justice for Magdalenes (JFM), to hold the Irish government accountable for decades of institutional abuse. From grassroots campaigning to delivering powerful testimony at the United Nations, their journey is a testament to the strength of collective action and the enduring impact of these dark chapters in Irish history. Through unflinching honesty, TESTIMONY raises urgent questions about justice and accountability. It demands access to records, transparency, and the right for survivors to pursue legal action against church and state institutions. Ultimately, the film is a tribute to their resilience, a rallying cry for justice, and a stark reminder of the cost of silence. Above all, TESTIMONY is a call to action, urging society to reckon with its complicity and ensure such abuses are never repeated.

Women from Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes are suing for justice, accountability, and legal action against church and state institutions, supported by Justice for Magdalenes.

Winner of 2025 ICCL Human Rights Film Award at Dublin International Film Festival. Winner of the 2025 Law Society of Ireland Best Overall Film. Winner of the Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (broadcast) Feature 2025.

TESTIMONY is a profoundly moving documentary that chronicles the fight for justice by survivors of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes. It captures the determination of these women, supported by the advocacy group Justice for Magdalenes (JFM), to hold the Irish government accountable for decades of institutional abuse. From grassroots campaigning to delivering powerful testimony at the United Nations, their journey is a testament to the strength of collective action and the enduring impact of these dark chapters in Irish history.

The Magdalene Laundries, operated by religious orders with state complicity, imprisoned and dehumanised women under the guise of moral rehabilitation. Survivors endured forced labour, physical and emotional abuse, and the lifelong stigma of being labelled "fallen." The cruelty extended into Mother and Baby Homes, where unwed mothers were coerced into surrendering their children for adoption-many of these separations executed in secrecy and without consent. These homes also subjected residents to horrifying practices, including vaccine trials and human trafficking. Survivors recount harrowing stories of being stripped of their dignity, separated from their children, and carrying the relentless shame society imposed upon them.

Central to the narrative is JFM's tireless campaign for justice. Their efforts gain momentum following exhumations at High Park, where mass graves revealed the indignities suffered by Magdalene women even in death. The fight reaches its pinnacle when survivors, with JFM's support, deliver their testimony to the UN Committee Against Torture. Their accounts of forced labour, incarceration, and abuse compels the UN to demand comprehensive investigations and reparations. Yet, even as the international spotlight intensifies, the Irish government's responses are marred by dismissiveness and exclusion from redress. These denials underscore the persistent failure to fully confront the atrocities.

Amidst this struggle, TESTIMONY finds hope and resilience. The "Dublin Honours Magdalenes" event provides survivors with long-overdue recognition, offering a moment of healing as they share their stories and reclaim their narratives. Through unflinching honesty, TESTIMONY raises urgent questions about justice and accountability. It demands access to records, transparency, and the right for survivors to pursue legal action against church and state institutions. Ultimately, the film is a tribute to their resilience, a rallying cry for justice, and a stark reminder of the cost of silence. Above all, TESTIMONY is a call to action, urging society to reckon with its complicity and ensure such abuses are never repeated.