Webchat with Philomena Lee, inspiration behind the Oscar-nominated film, Philomena, Thursday 27 March, 12-1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We are delighted to announce that the real Philomena Lee, who inspired the Oscar-nominated and award-winning film Philomena, will be joining us for a webchat on Thursday 27 March from 12-1pm.

Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a 'fallen woman'. When her baby was only a toddler, he was adopted and taken to America without warning. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for her lost son in vain.

Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary journalist as cynical as Philomena was trusting. Together they set off for America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena's son, but also the powerful bond that developed between Philomena and Martin – a surprising relationship that was both profoundly moving and very funny.

Based on the best-selling book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, this incredible true story was adapted for the screen by star Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope. Loved by audiences and critics alike, Pathé Productions invite you to experience Philomena this Mother's Day, released on Blu-ray and DVD on 24 March 2014. We have 30 copies up for grabs. If you'd like to watch the film and join the webchat, apply for a free copy here.

Join Philomena Lee on Thursday 27 March at midday or post a question to her in advance on this thread.

Philomena, you came across in the film as you do today - warm and engaging, but even more articulate and thougt proviking in real life today. Hope you are enjoying your day at MN and are not finding my our questions too personal. I think with hindisght mine perhaps was. Sorry.

@LucToot

Philomena, thank you for sharing your story.....it must have been devastating to discover the truth. I have just finished reading your book within my book group and was delighted to have won the DVD through mumsnet. I felt the book was very much Antony/Michael's story (almost a bit too political in the second part?!) and the film was very much your emotional interpretation. Who or why did you decide to call the story Philomena? Surely the book should have been called Antony? I'd love to hear & read more about how making the film and writing your story has changed your life?

The original book is called The Lost Child of Philomena Lee. They've reissued it and changed it since the film came out. I think Judy's written a foreword in the new book.

Apart from going to the all fabulous the awards and meeting all the glamorous people, in reality life hasn't changed at all. However, there is a lasting legacy from the film and our continued involvement in the Philomena Project and to help make things easier for people who follow in our footsteps.

@BananaBeforeBed

Welcome, Philomena. In the film, your forgiveness towards the nuns and the church shines through.

Has this been cobstant, or have you ever experienced other feelings towards them?

Has your son's father been in touch at all, either when you were pregnant or now, since all the publicity? If not, do you wish for contact?

How do you feel about adoption now? Do you see it having potential as a positive life choice, as they do in America, where friends of mine have become parents theough an open adoption?

I was meant to meet Antony's father the week after the carnival but my aunty wouldn't let me out. Therefore, I've never seen or heard from him again. He doesn't even know that he has this son. We tried really hard to find him when we were writing the book. We rang every John McInerny in Ireland when researching but we've never found him. I would be delighted to find him and let him know.

There's always going to be a need for adoption, but I think open adoption is the way to go. We need to get rid of the secrecy so that children know their identity. That's the biggest issue.

Philomena,

I cried in the film - I don't t usually do that in a cinema! - it was so heartbreaking.

I also thought it an excellent film, great performances from Dame Judy Dench and Martin Sixsmith.

Thank you for telling your story and shedding a light on a terrible injustice done to (young) women in Ireland.

I'm so happy to read you are still in touch with Pete, that must keep the connection with Anthony stronger too.

Bless you and your daughter and son.

Thank you all so much for your questions - it's been a real pleasure. This is a whole new experience for us!

If you'd like to find out more, check out The Philomena Project www.thephilomenaproject.com. We've got a petition on there that we hope to present to the Irish government, so please feel free to have a look and add your signature if you wish! We're almost at 14,000 signatures which a great achievement.

We wish you all a very happy Mother's Day this Sunday, and if you haven't had a chance to see the film, it's out on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Hi Philomena,

Thanks for sharing your incredible story with us. A light-hearted question here. As well as gripping and emotional, the film has many comic highlights, one in particular being when Philomena describes her Mills & Boon romance books to Martin Sixmith-are these books still a favourite of yours? Which was the funniest moment/scene in the film for you to watch?

I can't wait to see the film of your life Philomena, thank you for sharing it with us

I've missed this but have just been moved to tears by an interview with you on Radio 5Live.

Have signed the petition and linked to it on FB and Twitter. Glad to finally be able to do a small thing for all the women so cruelly treated in this way.

Thanks Philomena and Mumsnet for a great webchat...

I am not clear if Philomena and her son met. From some of the posts it implies he died before they met. Does anyone know?

FBG - very sad to say he did die before they met, but she met his partner of 15 or so years and has remained in touch with him.

Oh goodness, I am welling up .

Philomena you are some amazing woman !
I put a tenner on Judi Dench to win the Oscar for her portrayal of you.
The woman in the bookies laughed as Cate Blanchett was a dead cert!
But I didn't care cos I believed Judi was brilliant.
I loved Cate in Blue Jasmine too.