As one of the outsiders in the forthcoming Academy Awards, there’s no reason why Brooklyn can’t be triumphant in a whole variety of categories, as this indelible romantic drama is undoubtedly one of the finest films out this year.

It was therefore our pleasure to sit down with the director John Crowley to discuss the project, and how he could personally relate to the protagonist’s journey. He also spoke about Saoirse Ronan’s incredible performance, the importance of having a female lead to tell this story, and the challenge in ensuring that both the lure of the US and the comfort of Ireland both seem equally appealing to the viewer.

Brooklyn is released on November 6th, and you can watch our interview with Saoirse Ronan here.