Colin Farrell’s son James makes a rare appearance in the trailer for the upcoming documentary The Slightest Touch.
The 50-year-old award-winning actor is shown sharing a tender moment with his 23-year-old son, who lives with the rare neurological condition Angelman syndrome.
In a teaser released by HBO on Wednesday, October 28, Farrell takes part in an interview before appearing to pause to show affection to James during the emotional on-camera exchange.
The father and son can be seen smiling and laughing as Farrell greets James with a hug, then gently holds him in his arms throughout part of the interview.
James was diagnosed with the rare neurogenetic disorder as a toddler.
Angelman syndrome affects the nervous system and can cause developmental delays, speech difficulties, problems with balance and movement, intellectual disability and seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Colin Farrell’s son James appears briefly in the trailer for the upcoming documentary The Slightest Touch
The 50-year-old actor shares a touching moment with his 23-year-old son James, who has Angelman syndrome
The HBO teaser shows Farrell pausing during an interview to embrace his son in a heartfelt moment
Farrell shares James with his former girlfriend Kim Bordenave.
The Irish actor is also the father of 17-year-old Henry, from his previous relationship with his former Ondine co-star Alicja Bachleda-Curus.
The documentary The Slightest Touch follows Farrell’s longtime friend Emma Fogarty and her life with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition she was diagnosed with as a child.
The Mayo Clinic describes epidermolysis bullosa as a rare disorder that causes fragile skin and blistering, sometimes in response to minor injuries or heat, both inside and outside the body.
Doctors told Emma’s parents that she might not survive beyond her first week. She defied those expectations, and for her 40th birthday, she and her longtime friend Farrell plan to take part in the Dublin Marathon together.
The trailer features the friends reflecting on their relationship and spending time together.
It also shows Farrell training for the marathon before helping Emma complete the final four kilometers by pushing her wheelchair. Each kilometer represents one decade of her life with epidermolysis bullosa.
Throughout the film, Farrell discusses his friendship with Emma and his deep admiration for her. James also makes a brief but touching appearance.
The Slightest Touch premieres on HBO on November 25.
RELATED: US Embassy Warns of Credible Mass-Casualty Threat at Moscow Site
The Slightest Touch follows Farrell’s longtime friend Emma Fogarty and her journey with epidermolysis bullosa, which she was diagnosed with as a child
Despite being told she might survive only a week, Emma defied the odds and plans to run the Dublin Marathon with Farrell for her 40th birthday
The documentary trailer captures Farrell and Emma sharing their story and enjoying time together
Farrell trains for the marathon and helps Emma cover the final four kilometers by pushing her wheelchair, with each kilometer representing a decade of her life with epidermolysis bullosa
Farrell discusses his friendship with Emma and his admiration for her, while his son James makes a brief, heartfelt cameo
The Slightest Touch will premiere on HBO on November 25
Two years ago, Farrell spoke publicly about James’s diagnosis and his decision to establish the Colin Farrell Foundation, which supports adults with intellectual disabilities.
‘I want the world to be kind to James,’ Farrell told People in August 2024. He was discussing his nonverbal son, who has a live-in caretaker. ‘I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.’
‘Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,’ Farrell said, explaining why he chose to speak openly about his family life with James.
‘All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.’
Speaking about the foundation’s work through advocacy, education and innovative programs, the actor said: ‘This is the first time I’ve spoken about it, and obviously the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this.’
He continued: ‘I mean, I can. I speak to James as if he’s 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability.
Farrell previously discussed James’s diagnosis and his decision to launch the Colin Farrell Foundation to support adults with intellectual disabilities
Farrell shares James with former girlfriend Kim Bordenave and is also father to 17-year-old Henry, whom he shares with former Ondine co-star Alicja Bachleda-Curus; pictured in December 2009
‘But I can’t discern a particular answer from him as to whether he’s comfortable with all this or not, so I have to make a call based on knowing James’s spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart.’
Farrell said James ‘has worked so hard all his life, so hard.’
He recalled the ‘repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully.
‘I’m proud of him every day, because I just think he’s magic.’
