The Magdalene Sisters
Release Date:
August 1, 2003
Limited release
The history of the Catholic Church has been rich and filled with interesting characters. However, this film is about something the church would rather forget. In fact, they have denounced this film, including a demand that Disney get rid of its subsidiary, Miramax Films, for even making this film.
Director and screenwriter Peter Mullan brings us this look at the Sisters of Mercy order that operated the Magdalene laundries. This film almost ends up being more of a prisoner of war film than a historical look at the Church.
Basically, the Magdalene laundries were set up as places where female "sinners" could be sent to become pure again by "washing away" their sins. I put "sinners" in quotes because among the women in this film, based on actual events, are a woman who was raped played by Anne-Marie Duff (apparently it was her fault), a young woman who flirts with boys (Nora-Jane Noone), and some women who gave birth to children out of wedlock (Eileen Walsh and Dorothy Duffy). They are kept in line by the head nun, Sister Bridget (Geraldine McEwan).
This film has been making the film festival circuit and has won numerous awards, including Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival. With the accolades from festival audiences and critics alike, this movie should be coming to your local independent film venue soon. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
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