Sew Torn, Freddy Macdonald’s gripping story of loneliness, grief, redemption, revenge, and love, arrives on UK and Ireland digital platforms on 31 March, courtesy of Vertigo Releasing.
Adapted from Macdonald’s acclaimed short film, which made waves at major international festivals including SXSW, Locarno, and Sitges, the film has already garnered significant attention.
Starring Eve Connolly (“Into the Badland,” River Wild), Callum Worthy (“American Vandal”), and John Lynch (Sliding Doors, The Secret Garden), Sew Torn follows Barbara Duggen (Connolly), aka ‘The Mobile Seamstress,’ as she struggles to keep her fabric shop afloat. After a seemingly simple sewing appointment goes wrong, Barbara is unwittingly thrust into a dangerous botched drug deal, forcing her to decide between committing a crime, calling the police, or driving away—each with high-stakes consequences, especially when she crosses paths with the ruthless owner behind it all.
Ahead of Sew Torn’s digital release on 31 March 2025, Connolly shares her thoughts on the film’s intense script, the challenges of bringing it to life, and the complex threads that make her character’s journey so captivating.
Can you tell us a little bit about the character that you’re playing?
Eve Connolly: The character I’m playing is Barbara, “The Mobile Seamstress.” She’s at a point in her life where she feels stuck. She’s lost the person who mattered most to her—her mother—and is trying to figure out how she can still hold on to her in any way possible. When she stumbles upon what may be the answer to all her problems, we follow her as she makes a number of decisions—many of them the wrong ones—in an attempt to find inner peace.
What was your first impression of the script?
EC: I had never read anything like it. It had such a specific personality and style. There weren’t any dull or predictable moments. Everything felt so intense, but at the same time, there were varying degrees of that intensity. You could breathe in the film, and it builds up each time. I don’t know how Freddy and Fred came up with it or planned out all the intricate threads needed to make Barbara’s masterpieces come true, but I’m just glad I get to pretend to have created them and seem like the genius in the end. There’s action, comedy, drama, and a lot of heart. It’s about realizing when to let go, and how to hold on to things without letting them consume your entire world. It’s about forcing yourself to move on so you can experience life.
What was challenging about bringing the script to life?
EC: It’s definitely been challenging because, after reading the script and meeting everyone involved, it was clear to me that this film has everything it needs to be incredible. For me, the fear was always that I wanted to make sure I held up my end of the bargain. Barbara is such a special character, and there’s so much sadness and love in her—so I just wanted to make sure I did it justice. That was the challenge. But you want that challenge. Every day on set, I was a little scared, but working with people who are so dedicated and kind, I knew I could do it.
What was your impression of shooting in Switzerland?
EC: Well, my impression of Switzerland is that it’s possibly the most—no, it is—the most beautiful place I think I’ve ever been. Every morning, when we’re walking to set and the sun is rising above the mountains, it doesn’t look real. A lot of the time, it just looks like a painting. It felt like it was made specifically for this film.
With Variety praising the film for its “technical agility and poppy storytelling verve,” and ScreenAnarchy stating that it is “impossible to ignore the vision behind it,” Sew Torn is definitely one to watch when it hits digital platforms on 31 March. It’ll be available for streaming across the UK and Ireland, thanks to Vertigo Releasing.
