This new investment, announced simultaneously in London and Cannes, is extra to money already invested in the film by Scottish Screen, who led a rescue package to keep Magdalene in production in Scotland after a budget shortfall meant it might have to move location to Ireland to take advantage of tax incentives there.

Mullan and producer Frances Higson were anxious to use a former nunnery in Dumfries as a location. The film was also seen as likely to benefit the Dumfries and Galloway local economy significantly at a time when it has been exceptionally hard by the foot and mouth crisis.

Magdalene is written by and will be directed by Mullan (My Name Is Joe, winner of the Palme d’Or Best Actor and most recently seen in The Claim, produced by Frances Higson (Orphans, Fridge,) and will star Vanessa Redgrave (Mrs Dalloway, Girl Interrupted). The executive producer is Ed Guiney (Disco Pigs, The Tale Of Sweety Barrett).

The film is financed by Scottish Screen, Dumfries & Galloway and the Film Council. Momentum is distributing in the UK, Lucky Red is distributing in Italy and Wild Bunch (Eloge De L’Amore, Kandahar — both in the Cannes Official Competition) will handle international sales