Film

Even more ambitious than Mungiu’s Palme d’Or-winning breakthrough 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days, this spare, non-judgemental, but often brutal meditation on religious faith (inspired by the non-fiction novels of Tatiana Niculescu Bran)  follows the reunion of Alina and Voichita, two childhood friends now in their mid-twenties. Returning to Romania after a stay in Germany, Alina tries to convince Voichita to come with her, but she is unwilling to leave the monastery she has joined. Shot with “all the Calvinist purity of an old Dutch Master painting” (The Hollywood Reporter), the film builds in intensity as Alina stirs up hostilities by challenging her friend’s monastic way of life.