Women Talking is a significant film. It is one of ten movies nominated for the Oscar for Best Film at this year’s Academy Awards. Being nominated is the real prize. Being awarded the actual statuette is a lottery.
One of the actors and one of the producers is Frances McDormand. Another producer is Brad Pitt.
The film will not appeal to all.
Sarah Polley directed and wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Miriam Toews. Her book was inspired by true events. Women of a Mennonite religious community in Bolivia were sprayed with animal tranquilliser and raped. In Sarah Polley’s film, we hear about the rapes but they are not depicted. The women meet to decide what to do: should they do nothing, stay and fight for their rights, or leave.
As they are women, they have not been taught to read or write. However, a young man whose family left the community has arrived back to teach the boys and to rekindle an affection he had for one of the young women. He is asked to take notes at the meeting.
This powerful film is beautifully photographed, well-written and superbly acted. It is provocative and some may feel too confronting.
*****
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
Watch the trailer below:
