TIFF Picks 09: Bruno Dumont’s Hadewijch

Date:

#8. HADEWIJCH

Director: Bruno Dumont 
Cast: Julie Sokolowski, David Dewaele, Yassine Salim, Karl Sarafidis
Distributor: Rights Available.

Buzz: There was plenty of speculation about the status of Hadewijch and why it may not have been included at Cannes and now even more talk about why its not competing in Venice. For those who love philosophy lessons embedded in their cinema – this may be one more exercise in just that. I’ll admit to missing out on his last film (Flanders) his second Cannes Grand Jury winner, so I’m curious on catching up on a film that mostly employs non-actors.   

The Gist: The film is about a religious novice (Julie Sokolowski) whose ecstatic, blind faith leads to her expulsion from a convent. Returning to her former life, Hadewijch reverts to being Céline, a Parisienne and daughter of a diplomat. However, her passion for God, rage and encounters with Khaled and Nassir soon lead her down a dangerous path.

TIFF Schedule: Click here for screening times.

 

Eric Lavallée
Eric Lavalléehttps://www.ericlavallee.com
Eric Lavallée is the founder, CEO, editor-in-chief, film journalist, and critic at IONCINEMA.com, established in 2000. A regular at Sundance, Cannes, and Venice, Eric holds a BFA in film studies from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. In 2013, he served on the narrative competition jury at the SXSW Film Festival. He was an associate producer on Mark Jackson’s "This Teacher" (2018 LA Film Festival, 2018 BFI London). He is a Golden Globes Voter, member of the ICS (International Cinephile Society), FIPRESCI and AQCC (Association québécoise des critiques de cinéma).

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