The Innocents

(Agnus Dei (Les innocentes))

In select theaters
July 1^st 2016

115 minutes

French
Polish
Russian

France
Poland

Warsaw, December 1945: the second World War is finally over and Mathilde is treating the last of the French survivors of the German camps. When a panicked Benedictine nun appears at the clinic one night begging Mathilde to follow her back to the convent, what she finds there is shocking: a holy sister about to give birth and several more in advanced stages of pregnancy. A non-believer, Mathilde enters the sisters’ fiercely private world, dictated by the rituals of their order and the strict Rev. Mother (Agata Kulesza, Ida). Fearing the shame of exposure, the hostility of the new anti-Catholic Communist government, and facing an unprecedented crisis of faith, the nuns increasingly turn to Mathilde as their belief and traditions clash with harsh realities.

starring...

Lou de Laâge

Mathilde Beaulieu

Agata Buzek

Maria

Agata Kulesza

Mère Abesse

Vincent Macaigne

Samuel

Joanna Kulig

Irena

Directed by

Anne Fontaine

Screenplay by

Sabrina B. Karine, Alice Vial

Adaptation by

Anne Fontaine, ascal Bonitzer

Cinematography by

CCaroline Champetier

Film Editing by

Annette Dutertre

Music by

Grégoire Hetzel

Production Design by

Joanna Macha

Art Direction by

Anna Pabisiak

Set Decoration by

Kinga Babczynska

Costume Design by

Katarzyna Lewinska

96% on the CINEMETER

96% - May 1, 2016

A magnificent film - part of post-war history in Poland, at once devastating and yet filled with hope. The subtleness of the acting made this very powerful.
San Francisco Member

This is an important, significant movie. What these women have experienced happens in life, in war, all the time. We want war movies to be "Saving Private Ryan" but this is needed, urgently, thank you.
San Francisco Member

Stunningly shot, a beautiful film. The pacing draws things out excessively, but still a deep and thinking person's movie. Bravo!
San Francisco Member

It raised the idea that there is not a pat philosophy of faith that makes sense in a case of horrible abuse. The film's struggle felt authentic.
San Francisco Member

First movie I've ever seen that presents nuns in convents in human terms.
San Francisco Member

The film's empathy toward its subject matter allows it to resonate more than if it had documented the horrors in more explicit ways. The restraint in the filmmaking matches up with the muted nature of the nuns.
San Francisco Member

MIL

92% - May 15, 2016

Provocative, riveting; so many perspectives to consider.
Milwaukee Member

Very moving. Enjoyed the beautiful cinematography.
Milwaukee Member

Lack of music adds to the austerity of the film. Not your typical, rousing, heroic WWII film.
Milwaukee Member

Beautiful cinematography.
Milwaukee Member

Art direction and cinematography were excellent.
Milwaukee Member

So sad and yet so beautiful. I hope this film is seen and recognized.
Milwaukee Member

STL

98% - May 15, 2016

A profound story that contrasts the best and worst in people; brutality and tenderness. And then the ability of some to salvage good out of the worst circumstances.
St. Louis Member

Excellent study in how good can come from evil and joy from suffering. . .Simply a wonderful viewing experience.

St. Louis Member

Astonishingly well done film about deeply serious, very real elements of humanity in extremis. . .I'll never forget this miraculous movie.
St. Louis Member

I applaud the nuanced. complex portrayal of religious beliefs, rather than simply a critical view. In contrast with the sisters' garb, the world does not operate in black and white.
St. Louis Member

The movie was fantastic. It's so nice to see a movie about women from a woman's perspective, in women's voices. All of the men in this movie were assholes. Even the orphan boy was a scammer. . .

Deeply, profoundly movie, and in places almost impossible to watch. Use of colors, especially red, is very effective.

St. Louis Member

ATL

99% - May 15, 2016

Best of the spring”
Atlanta Member

“Heartbreaking balance of tragedy and hope”
Atlanta Member

“Beautifully rendered movie about a horrible topic”
Atlanta Member

“Excellent movie! Why I stay in cinema club”
Atlanta Member

“A film that touches on so many serious issues so beautifully. Beautifully shot and acted with deep emotional impact”
Atlanta Member

“Very powerful movie. What does faith mean? What dows catholic mean? Death before life because of faith?”
Atlanta Member

“One of the best films I have seen screened at the cinema club. Thoughtful, gripping and provocative.”
Atlanta Member

“Absolutely puts you in the place and time. God works through atheist communists. Who knew?”
Atlanta Member

“greatly appreciated the women’s voices [&] Samuel’s character – not all males are bad, another the Russian commander who rescued Mathilde. Thank you for letting us know this was based on fact. So many “innocents” in the film, maybe even the Reverend Mother. She thought the was protecting her sisters.”
Atlanta Member

96% - May 1, 2016

Beyond the abyss of war, the fog of faith was so effectively portrayed. Visually, this film is a collection of poignant and beautiful paintings and intense portraiture.
Greater New Haven Member

Powerful and beautiful. Spiritual and realistic. The Mother Superior's obedience was incredibly portrayed. In doing what she thought was right (anti-shame), she was inhumane. Haunting. (Note: the word 'powerful' appeared on many cards.)
Greater New Haven Member

Well done. The framing of the nun's habits against the outside winter landscape was done exceptionally well. Important film. Glad I had a chance to learn the story.
Greater New Haven Member

Great title. Many lessons of human nature's frailties and strengths. Our secrets don't protect us as much as we may think. They may aid to keep us captives of isolation and fear. How we use faith to blame, shape and make sense, when sometimes horrible and atrocious things happen to us.
Greater New Haven Member

Heartbreaking film, spectacularly done. Note: several others used the term 'heartbreaking' or 'heartwrenching.'
Greater New Haven Member

Visually stunning, philosophically provocative, spiritually nourishing.
Greater New Haven Member

So difficult to watch, but equally difficult to look away. I thank the director for shining a light on a part of World War II history that we hear virtually nothing about. Religion, however, continues to baffle me.
Greater New Haven Member

I enjoyed this movie. Powerful and intriguing. One of the most well-crafted parts was the Mother Superior. I know that she did a terrible deed in killing the babies but I still had sympathy for her. Even though she was blind in what she was doing, she was true to her devotion. A truly difficult role well-written, well-directed, well-acted.
Greater New Haven Member

Dignified, masterful evocation of the multitude of crosses that war - and the instrument of sexual assault -- brings to bear. The strong, spare, stark visuals never let us forget where we were, or what was happening, just as the characters couldn't forget where they were or what was happening -- to and through them. Also fantastic to have a film centered on strong female characters. Thank you!
Greater New Haven Member

Here follows a collation of some of the comments along the lines that the film was the best of the season or the best of the Cinema Club generally:

' Best film of the season!!! Everything was poignant and breathtaking.'
'Thank you. Best of the season!'
'Great -- what a way to end our season! See you next time!'
'The most powerful film of the season. Terrifying to the very end...then redemptive.
'What an amazing film to end the season.'
'Profound and appropriate music. Words were almost not necessary. Visuals of faces and scenery had great impact. Best film of the season. Thank you, Cinema Club!'
'Touching, marvelous in every way. One of the best I've ever seen in this club.'
'What a gem! This is why I come to the Cinema Club. This film was excellent on every level! It walked that fine line -- never becoming sentimental or trivial. One of the best we have seen!'

Greater New Haven Member

BOS

100% - May 1, 2016

Beautifully photographed. Wonderfully told story—captured the feel of northern Europe. Showed how the scene is character.
Boston Member

A dark but true story very well done. So informative! I didn’t know about those incidents of the 2nd world War.Superb acting.

Boston Member

This film was among the most moving--emotionally gripping—I have seen.

Boston Member

Wonderful portrayal of the crisis of faith and obedience….
Boston Member

Intense sadness and tragedy nicely climaxed by heartwarming ending.

Boston Member

Great movie making cinematography/color, supwev acting, story.
Boston Member

94% - May 1, 2016

A women's war movie! Beautifully filmed and acted. Wonderful to tell the story of a brave woman doctor. About time stories like this come out.
Washington, DC Member

A much nuanced story that was treated in a very smart way. It forced the audience to put themselves in other's shoes.
Washington, DC Member

Absolutely engrossing. Such wonderful filming of the women's faces. Beautiful.
Washington, DC Member

If Vermeer were alive, he would have painted this film.
Washington, DC Member

Superb movie. I liked the fact that there were few special effects and almost no background music, except what one would expect naturally - there were a few places that had a little classical background music, but it wasn't distracting. I also loved the stark photography.
Washington, DC Member

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