*Trigger Warning – Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse & Rape*
Women Taking the Lead
I was initially drawn into this movie, knowing that it was about women in a small religious community (cult). As a Religious Trauma Therapist I knew that it would pique my interest.
I didn’t realise that I would be enamoured and at times speechless by the way it articulates the struggle between reality and faith. It is an imagined response to real life events of a Mennonite colony in Bolivia; you can read about it here.
Here is a short summary of the movie
The women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith. Through the backstory, we see a community of women come together to figure out how they might move forward together to build a better world for themselves and their children. Stay and fight or leave. They will not do nothing.
MGM Studies
Sarah Polley, Director of ‘Women Talking’ creates a powerful and refreshing take on the horrific violence, power, control and sexual assault. Don’t expect to see cinematic recreations of these or have it jam packed with action, because you will be disappointed.
When we do see flashbacks, it is done with delicacy and minimalism. We discover through one character that “The attacks were originally attributed to ghosts and demons. When the women woke up feeling drowsy and in pain, their bodies bruised and bleeding, many believed they were being made to suffer as punishment for their sins. Many accused the women of lying for attention or to cover up adultery.”
Instead, you will see sombre, painful and traumatic debate done with humour, reflection and self-determination. These women are strong!
So Many Questions
For anyone who has never been a part of a religious community, and especially a high control one; the question ‘Do we stay or go?’ seems like an easy one to answer. However, you will see through this movie that staying or leaving their community, enmeshed with their faith becomes complicated.
The women begin to debate questions around their eternal salvation, forgiveness and estrangement from God. They discuss the nature of male violence and the conditioning of their male children, considering at what age they would be deemed a risk to leave with them.
Question’s around the forgiveness of their rapists are repeatedly discussed, considering whether forced forgiveness is true forgiveness at all. One of the women Salome (played by Claire Foy) passionately vows to “burn forever in hell before I allow another man to satisfy his violent urges with the body of my four-year-old child”. Her character is a powerful force throughout and her rage is visceral.
The Impact of Trauma
We see the impact of the trauma, in many ways. We see profound guilt and shame in the elder women of the group, who raised their daughters in this environment. In the rest of the group we see panic attacks, mutism, flashbacks, emotional outbursts and a sense of powerlessness. We also see the lasting physical impact in bruising, scarring, lost teeth, STI’s and pregnancy.
What we witness in this film is the manifestation of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Thankfully, we are not forced to witness a recreation of the horrific acts of abuse the women experienced, instead keeping the focus on the women. The lasting effects on the women and children is a far more important conversation to have. The uprising of the women is compelling and formidable.
The Emotional Spectrum
This film had me laughing, crying, raging and heartbroken all in a 90minute window. I would recommend it to anyone interested in cults, religious trauma or powerful women.
Sure, it is heavy material but it portrays strong women with a sense of self determination. They choose the terrifying path of self liberation as they attempt to unlearn oppression and make a stand – a cry, of defiance for themselves, their loved ones and their future.
There are several emotional monologues and moments that will leaving a lasting impression. None more than this quote from Greta that I will finish with.
“Leaving is how we demonstrate our faith. We are leaving because our faith is stronger than the rules. Bigger than our life.”
Support
If you need support with any of the themes here, please reach out here.
I also have a podcast titled ‘Beyond The Surface’ where I amplify other peoples stories of religious trauma and deconstruction. You can listen on any major podcast home or listen in your browser here.