Beyond the Hills
Original Title
Dupa Dealuri- Director: Cristian Mungiu
- Writer: Cristian Mungiu; Tatiana Niculescu Bran
- Producer: Pascal Caucheteux; Jean-Pierre Dardenne
CGiii Comment
Long...very long and as gripping as a slippery pole...but, stick with it - you will be glued to the screen.
It's well-made, well-acted (low-key being the only word to describe it).
A mentally unstable girl enters a convent of nuns headed by one man (called Daddy) - with the intention to have sex with an overly-pious, ex-lesbian...and, to snatch her away to lead a fun-filled life working on a cruise ship...obviously, it doesn't go to plan.
The faithless will find this a most difficult journey...they will see only the blind-sighted brainwashing...
Those with faith should be compromised...they should see the blind-sighted brainwashing but, this can be dispelled with the universal excuse: if it is God's will...how far can one's faith be stretched before it snaps?
Modernity and Westernism are the obvious culprits...the aggressors against a simple, blinkered and back-breaking life.
Indeed, there is definitely a fine line between religion and cult...
Depressing, yes...to the point of self-harm...harrowing, infuriating, terrifying and special.
Very special indeed.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Alina and Voichita have been friends since their orphanage days. And they have been lovers since they became sexually mature. But despite their oath of mutual fidelity, Alina, who could not bear poverty any more, emigrated to Germany where she became a barmaid. Now she just could not take the estrangement from Voichita and today she is back to Romania with a view to taking Voichita along with her to Germany. The only trouble is that in the meantime her girlfriend has betrayed her in falling in love with... God! Voichita indeed now lives in a convent where she plans to make vows. The priest agrees, if somewhat reluctantly, to accommodate Alina before their (hypothetical) departure. He sees all too well that not only is the young woman materialistic but hostile and troublesome as well...
Cast & Characters
Cosmina Stratan as Voichita;
Cristina Flutur as Alina;
Valeriu Andriuta as Priest;
Dana Tapalaga as Mother superior;
Catalina Harabagiu as Antonia;
Gina Tandura as nun Iustina;
Vica Agache as nun Elisabeta;
Nora Covali as Nun Pahomia;
Dionisie Vitcu as Mr. Valerica;
Ionut Ghinea as Ionut