Do nothing. Stay and fight. Or leave? That’s the central question posed by director Sarah Polley’s new film, “Women Talking,” which features an all-star cast. Starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand, “Women Talking” centers on the aftermath of violence and manipulation. The women of a religious Mennonite community learn that they have been systematically raped over months by the men in their community, using a form of ether that would make them confused and delirious when they awoke the following day, bruised, battered, and bleeding.
The film’s central dilemma is for the women of this community to decide what their response will be and vote on it in a democracy: do nothing, stay and fight or leave? Nearly every decision will have dire consequences for their religious values, and while none of the core elders of the congregation can decide on much, they all decide that they have to do something.
“When I read Miriam Toews’ book, it sunk deep into me, raising questions and thoughts about the world I live in that I had never articulated,” Polley said in a statement about the film. “Questions about forgiveness, faith, systems of power, trauma, healing, culpability, community, and self-determination. It also left me bewilderingly hopeful.”
“Women Talking” made its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival earlier this year; it also played in Toronto and at the New York Film Festival. “Dense isn’t always used as a compliment when describing a movie, but in the case of ‘Women Talking,’ it’s a badge of honor,” our review out of Telluride wrote. “Polley is tackling numerous social dynamics among the women as well as a number of contemporary themes including women’s roles in society, religious freedom, sexual liberation, and even gender identity.”
“Women Talking is ultimately about a community that must grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith. “Women Talking” opens in select theaters on December 23 and expands in January 2023 via United Artist Releasing. Watch the new trailer below.