Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. At University, Mullan began acting, and continued stage acting after graduation. He had roles in several Scottish films, including Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Braveheart, and a supporting role in Ken Loach''s Riff-Raff. He also began to work as a writer and director, producing the short films Close, Good Day for the Bad Guys, and Fridge. His first full-length film Orphans won an award at the Venice Film Festival. Mullan''s appearance in Loach''s film My Name Is Joe, portraying a recovering alcoholic wrestling with his demons, won him the Best Actor Award at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.He appeared in the lead role in Brad Anderson''s 2001 psychological/supernatural thriller Session 9. In 2002 he returned to directing and screenwriting with the controversial film The Magdalene Sisters, based on life in an Irish Magdalene Asylum. For that movie Mullan won a Golden Lion award from the Venice Film Festival. In 2004, he starred in On a Clear Day and Criminal.