Though the film is in several different languages, the story is terrifyingly universal.
Despite World War II being officially over, Poland is still feeling the effects of the devastating ordeal. Young doctor, Mathilde (Lou De Laage) is still working on the injured in Poland as part of the French Red Cross but she is recruited by young nun, Sister Maria (Agata Buzek) as a fellow nun is in labor. Several months earlier, the convent was revenged by the Soviets, leaving eight nuns pregnant and the Mother Superior (Agata Kulesza) with deadly syphilis. Though Matilde helps them without question, despite putting her own work in danger, she is nauseated by the whole thing. Each sister reacts differently to the birth, one young novice rejects her infant daughter while Sister Zofia (Anna Prochniak) bonds with her after her own young son was taken and abandoned as Mother Abbess thought she was doing them a favor.
This whole ordeal causes several of them to question their faith, but for the most part, their faith in God barely waivers, not even after Zofia flings herself out of a window to her death. And it has a happy as possible ending, with Mathilde bringing the street orphans to the convent so the sisters can keep their babies, which is what happens. The rest of the world seems none the wiser.
Thanks to the minimalistic set, stark cinematography and brilliant performances, the film shines and the ending was sadly satisfying. And you can feel both the cold and warmth radiate off the screen. This is to be watched by everyone, as it shows you that love (whether its love in God or your child) can pull you through the harshest of times. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-I have to say it, what did the nuns do for diapers?
-Also, Zofia seemed to recover rather quickly from her crude c-section.
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