Beyond the Hills

Beyond the Hills is a Romanian drama film from renowned director Cristian Mungiu. The film was critically acclaimed for its exploration of themes such as faith, friendship and freedom. The lead actresses, Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur both won awards for their performances at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, cementing the film's highly regarded status.

Beyond the Hills is a gripping cinematic exploration of the deep bonds of friendship. Mungiu sets his riveting drama against the backdrop of an isolated, strict Orthodox Christian religious community in rural Romania. The story unfolds as it focuses on the intense relationship between Alina (Cristina Flutur) and Voichita (Cosmina Stratan). The two young women had grown up together in an orphanage and developed a close friendship, hinting at a love that moves beyond platonic boundaries. As circumstances now find them in starkly different life paths, Alina returns after living in Germany to take Voichita back with her, disrupting the latter’s newfound sense of peace and stability within the secluded monastery.

Voichita is dedicated to her monastic life under the austere guidance of the monastery's priest, Father (Valeriu Andriuta). He practices a rigid, fundamentalist interpretation of faith that emphasizes obedience, asceticism, and self-denial. Voichita's life at the monastery is consumed by prayer, work, and the pursuit of spiritual cleansing under the strict orthodox teachings of the Father.

In contrast, Alina embraces her autonomy fiercely and is set on breaking Voichita free from the monastery's confines. However, the more Alina tries to extract Voichita, the more the monastery community perceives this as a demonic influence that's possessing her. The subsequent events unfurl into a heartbreaking narrative, stamped by emotional waves of desperation, spirituality, and the fraying bonds of friendship, becoming a brutal critique of religious fanaticism and the power structures in place.

Mungiu masterfully directs this intense narrative, enhancing emotional expression and atmospheric ambiance. There is no music or background score throughout the film, an unusual choice that emphasizes the reality and understated intensity of each scene. The austere Romanian landscape, with its stark winters and unforgiving terrain, mirrors the harsh religious lifestyle of the monastery. Mungiu's visual style conjures an immersive atmosphere through long, unbroken shots and minimal camera movements, allowing the viewers to observe characters with an intimate perspective.

Beyond the Hills is marked with standout performances that elevate the film's poignant narrative. Cosmina Stratan's portrayal of Voichita captures a complex character torn between her religious devotion and loyalty towards her old friend. Cristina Flutur's performance of Alina is fist-clenching in its intensity and desperation as she grapples with a multitude of emotions, from an abandoned past to an uncertain future. Valeriu Andriuta's Father delivers a chilling performance that gives a glimpse into the complex construct of religious authority and blind faith.

The film also delves deep into aspects of societal prejudice, institutional corruption, and the collective responsibility for individual despair. The overtones of exorcisms and devils are significant metaphors for the societal demons that haunt and shape the lives of vulnerable individuals like Alina and Voichita.

Based on real incidents that took place in Romania, the movie forces the viewer to grapple with complex moral questions about the nature of faith and the limits of endurance. Is the Father truly a man of God, or does he exploit his position of power? Does Alina’s insistence of rescuing Voichita reveals true love or a self-destructive obsession? Is Voichita’s devotion to God sincere, or is it borne out of a search for basic stability and peace she has been denied in her life?

Beyond the Hills is a brilliantly crafted film that demands complete attention from its viewers, guiding them through a grim tale of lust, faith, manipulation, and the threads of human connection. Its portrayal of authentic characters caught in the intersection of faith and friendship makes for compelling viewing. With its engrossing storytelling, stellar performances, and masterful direction, Beyond the Hills stays with you long after the reels have stopped rolling.