Colin Farrell's eldest son James, 23, makes a rare on-screen appearance in the trailer for the actor's upcoming HBO documentary, The Slightest Touch. The Irish actor, 50, shares James with his former girlfriend Kim Bordenave. James was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome as a toddler, a rare genetic condition affecting the nervous system that can cause developmental delays, speech and movement difficulties, intellectual disabilities, and seizures.
In a teaser released by HBO on Wednesday, October 28, Colin is shown sitting alongside his son during an interview. The pair share smiles and laughter before Colin wraps James in a warm embrace, holding him close as cameras capture the moment.
Documentary Follows Friendship with Emma Fogarty
The documentary centers on Colin's close friendship with Emma Fogarty, who has lived with epidermolysis bullosa since childhood. This rare genetic condition makes the skin extremely fragile and prone to blistering, sometimes after minor friction or injury. Emma's parents were reportedly told she might not survive beyond her first week, but she has since defied expectations.
To mark Emma's 40th birthday, she and Colin set themselves the challenge of completing the Dublin Marathon together. The trailer shows the pair reflecting on their friendship, with Colin also seen training for the race. In an emotional moment, the actor helps Emma across the finishing stretch by pushing her wheelchair for the final four kilometres, with each kilometre representing a decade of her life.
Colin Farrell's Family and Foundation
Colin is also father to 17-year-old Henry, whom he shares with former partner Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, his co-star in the film Ondine. The actor has previously spoken candidly about raising James and establishing the Colin Farrell Foundation, which aims to support adult children with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Speaking to People in August 2024, Colin explained his hopes for his son: "I want the world to be kind to James," he said. "I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect." He also highlighted the challenges families face when children with intellectual disabilities reach adulthood, noting that many support systems available during school years can disappear once they turn 21. "Once your child turns 21, they're kind of on their own," Colin said, adding that young adults should be able to take their place in society but too often risk being left behind without the right support.
Colin acknowledged that speaking publicly about James' life was a personal decision, explaining that he could not directly establish whether his son was comfortable with the attention. However, he said he made the decision based on his understanding of James and the kind of person he is. The actor has also spoken with pride about his son's progress over the years, including learning to feed himself. "I'm proud of him every day, because I just think he's magic," he said.
The Slightest Touch is due to premiere on HBO on November 25.
