Amen (2023) by Andrea Baroni: A Haunting Portrait of Faith and Confinement
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 15
- 4 min read
Short Summary: In the Name of the Father, and the Grandmother In a remote Italian farmhouse, three sisters—Sara, Ester, and Miriam—live a life completely isolated from the outside world. They are subject to the rigid, Old Testament-based teachings of their father and their tyrannical grandmother, Paolina. Every day is a cycle of prayer, work, and confession. The arrival of their young male cousin, Primo, shatters their fragile order and unleashes a series of repressed emotions and desires, forcing the girls to confront the stark reality of their confinement.
About movie: https://www.fandango.it/film/amen/
Link to watch: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0TKILYY1KKYM2ISMBSQ2YS9L7X/ref=dvm_src_ret_it_xx_s (Italy)
Detailed Summary: A Battle for the Soul
A Life of Devotion: Sara, Ester, and Miriam have never left the timeless countryside cottage where they were raised. They are a Christian family who follow the Old Testament literally, with no intermediary to God but the authority figures in their lives. The day is structured by ritual, and the nightly "confession" forces the sisters to reveal every thought and action to their grandmother, who serves as the moral arbitor of their lives.
The Serpent in the Garden: The sisters are on the cusp of womanhood, and their burgeoning desires and curiosities are in direct conflict with their strict upbringing. The arrival of their cousin, Primo, introduces a new, disruptive element. He represents the forbidden outside world, stirring feelings of rebellion in the sisters.
Breaking the Boundaries: The film explores the different ways the sisters cope with their repressive environment. Ester is the defiant rebel, constantly pushing against her boundaries, even to the point of self-destruction. Sara, the eldest, struggles with doubt and the weight of responsibility, while the youngest, Miriam, is a pure believer who fully accepts their life. The climax sees their personal conflicts erupt, threatening to tear apart the family's carefully constructed world.
Director's Vision: The Unbearable Weight of Limits In interviews, director Andrea Baroni stated that the central idea for Amen was not about religion itself, but about the concept of limits. He wanted to explore what happens when people are confined, physically and emotionally, and how they react to the human need to violate those boundaries.
A World of Confinement: The film's setting—a desolate farmhouse with no escape—is a physical representation of the sisters' psychological and religious confinement. Baroni uses this space to create a suffocating, almost claustrophobic atmosphere.
Influences and Style: Baroni cites filmmakers like Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides) and Michael Haneke as influences. This is evident in the film's ethereal yet unsettling tone and its focus on the psychological torment of its characters. He also references the Italian film Buio (2019), which also deals with a similar theme of isolation and a father's control over his daughters.
The Power of the Unspoken: Baroni intentionally avoids heavy exposition, relying on the visual language of the film to convey the characters' inner lives and the oppressive nature of their existence. The film's suspense comes from the quiet, tense moments and the psychological pressure building beneath the surface.
Themes: Religious Dogma, Rebellion, and the Loss of Innocence
Fundamentalism and Control: The film is a powerful critique of religious fundamentalism when it is used as a tool for control and emotional repression. The grandmother's role is particularly crucial, as she wields the authority of the Old Testament to subjugate her family.
Confinement and Rebellion: A core theme is the struggle for freedom. The sisters represent different reactions to extreme confinement, from outright rebellion to quiet, internal struggle. The arrival of their cousin acts as a catalyst for their inevitable break from their restrictive lives.
Sexuality and Repression: The film explores the girls' awakening sexuality and the extreme measures taken by their family to repress it. The tension between their natural human instincts and their imposed religious beliefs is at the heart of the film's drama.
Key Success Factors: Atmosphere and Acclaim
Atmospheric Cinematography: Niccolò Palomba's cinematography is a standout element, creating a beautiful yet haunting aesthetic that perfectly captures the film's sense of isolation and dread.
Strong Performances: The young cast, particularly the three lead actresses (Grace Ambrose, Francesca Carrain, and Valentina Filippeschi), delivers compelling and nuanced performances, effectively conveying the quiet desperation of their characters.
Festival Recognition: The film's selection at the prestigious Torino Film Festival in 2023 and its win of the Interfedi Award gave it significant critical visibility and a positive reputation.
Awards and Nominations:
Torino Film Festival 2023: Won the Interfedi Award.
Critics Reception: A Nuanced and Polarizing Film
Overall Summary: The film has received mixed to positive reviews. While it was praised at film festivals and for its artistry, it was not a unanimous success with all critics. Some praise its stunning cinematography and powerful exploration of its themes, while others may find the narrative to be slow-paced or lacking in emotional impact. The film's overall rating on some Italian review sites is average, reflecting a polarized but engaged critical response. The film's power lies in its ability to provoke thought and conversation, rather than in its commercial appeal.
Why to recommend movie: For a Thoughtful and Disturbing Drama
For Fans of A24-Style Cinema: If you appreciate atmospheric, character-driven psychological dramas that tackle complex themes, similar to the style of films from studios like A24, you will likely enjoy Amen.
A Haunting and Unsettling Experience: The film is not a traditional horror movie, but its unsettling tone and subject matter will stay with you long after the credits roll.
A Director to Watch: It is a promising debut from Andrea Baroni, showcasing a unique and compelling voice in filmmaking.
Final Verdict: A Visually Striking and Intellectually Rich Debut Amen is a film that demands to be seen by audiences who appreciate a slow-burn, thought-provoking drama. It is a visually beautiful but thematically bleak journey into the heart of a dysfunctional family. While it may not be for everyone, it is a brave and impressive debut that cements Andrea Baroni as a new and compelling voice in Italian cinema.
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