Cillian Murphy Reveals the Filmmaker He Believes Is a True Master of Cinema

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Cillian Murphy has worked with many famous Hollywood directors for over twenty years, but he feels a special connection to those who helped him early in his career. Although he’s collaborated with Christopher Nolan on six films – including his recent, award-winning performance in Oppenheimer – Murphy doesn’t consider Nolan his most important mentor. He credits the British director Ken Loach, with whom he worked in 2006, as having the biggest impact on his development.

Cillian Murphy and director Ken Loach worked together on the film The Wind That Shakes the Barley, which tells the story of two brothers during the Irish War of Independence. Murphy recalls a very demanding audition process, having to try out for Loach four or five times before getting the main role.

The filming involved extensive improvisation and thorough research into a difficult time in Irish history. Murphy considered it a great honor to work with Loach, particularly since they filmed in and around his hometown of Cork.

He remembers the set being filled with stunning scenery and stories based on real events. Murphy is still very proud of the film for its unique portrayal of the Irish Civil War, which brought generations of Irish families together to see their history represented on the big screen.

Cillian Murphy frequently praises Ken Loach as a cinematic visionary, admiring his dedication to realistic and genuine stories. This admiration continued even as Murphy himself rose to international fame with huge films like Inception and Dunkirk.

The emphasis on detailed, authentic acting that he learned early on stuck with him. It helped him develop a calm, concentrated approach to his work, ultimately making him ideal for the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, acting alongside stars like Matt Damon and Florence Pugh.

Cillian Murphy is having a very busy start to the year. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which will be in select theaters on March 6th and on Netflix starting March 20th. The film, directed by Tom Harper, is set in Birmingham during World War II and follows Tommy Shelby as he returns from exile for one last, dramatic confrontation.

The upcoming Peaky Blinders movie boasts a fantastic cast, bringing back Sophie Rundle and Stephen Graham, and adding new faces like Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan.

Beyond the Shelby family story, Cillian Murphy recently revisited his horror background. He made a brief, unexpected appearance as Jim in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which was released in January, hinting at a larger role in the third film of the new trilogy.

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2026-02-06 20:23