3.5/5
Stars
‘Beyond The Hills’ is a Romanian drama
based on the lasting friendship of two girls who grew up in the same orphanage.
The film has bagged the 'Best Actress' and the 'Best Screenplay' award at the
Cannes Film Festival, 2012. It was screened at the 14th Mumbai Film Festival as
a part of the 'World Cinema' section.
With such brave storytelling by
writer-director Cristian Mungiu, ‘Beyond The Hills’ raises important issues
about religious fundamentalism and the orthodoxy of the leaders. It is
certainly a compelling watch and does make you reflect about the state of the
times we live in.
Alina (Cristina Flutur) and Voichita
(Cosmina Stratan) grew up in the same orphanage and have been friends for the
longest time. While Voichita moves on to become a nun at an orthodox convent,
Alina stays with her foster parents and eventually moves to Germany to work as
a waitress in a bar. It is when Alina visits Voichita at her monastery that
problems start brewing. The Father and the Mother at the church are initially
weary of having a non-believer and a sinner stay at their holy abode. However,
they give in assuming that it won't be for long. Alina, meanwhile, longs for
Voichita to come and stay with her in Germany. Voichita, who has given up the
worldly ways, does not wish to change her path. Alina has nowhere else to stay.
Her foster parents won't take her back neither will the orphanage. She is
counting on Voichita to accompany her to Germany and start living with her. Her
loneliness gets her to start doing strange things, such as get fits, harm
herself etc. She is also frustrated owing to the fact that she is been made to
give confessions and prove her 'sanctity' in order to stay in the monastery.
Although she does believe in a higher power, it is the ways of the Father that
annoy her to no end.
Her extreme behaviour gives rise to a lot
of chaos within the place. The Father, who has never been too fond of Alina,
takes it upon himself to extract the evil spirit out of her body. So as they
start with the painstaking exorcism rituals, doubts start appearing in
Voichita's head. The film raises so many important issues. Be it friendship,
greed, love, belonging, religion, conservationism, humanity etc., the film
strikes a chord on all the aforementioned counts.
The performances of the two girls are
absolutely fantastic. There is so much control in their acts. At no point, does
their extreme behaviour in the film starts looking theatrical. Even the Father,
played by Valeriu Andriuta, is not the quintessential antagonist. Yes, his
actions are in no way compassionate, but his character isn't a murderer. It's
his ideology that really puts him on the firing line. The film is full of such
contradicting characters. It does make you ponder over your own religious
beliefs. There's a scene at the end of the film where a police car's windshield
has dirty puddle water splashed all over it owing to a passing truck. Watch
that scene carefully at the end. You will find a deeper meaning in the film.
Albeit ‘Beyond The Hills’ is a very good
film, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. A bit long at 2 and half hours, the
film takes its time to grow on you. However, it is brave attempt by the
filmmaker and that should be lauded.
Shivom
Oza
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