Women Talking: Intense drama by Sarah Polley about women from a Mennonite colony who spend a night discussing the future of all the women of gender in their community.
Plot and background
The members of an isolated Mennonite religious community live a very private life. However, as violent attacks by the male members of the community increase, the women find it increasingly difficult to reconcile their faith with the realities of their lives and seek a common exchange. Finally, it is up to them to make a courageous decision: should they do nothing, stay in the community and fight for their rights in the name of their faith, or leave the community for good?
The exclusive featurette shows a look behind the scenes in addition to excerpts from film scenes. Director Sarah Polley and producer and actress Frances McDormand talk about the moving work on set and the powerful dynamics between the female actors:
“The Debate” – Cast, background, theatrical release
The drama “The Pronunciation” is based on the novel of the same name by award-winning author Miriam Toews. Director Sarah Polley, who was nominated for an Oscar for her feature film debut “By Her Side”, now brings the intense, emotionally moving story to the screen.
“The Debate” boasts a top-class cast. For example, the two-time Emmy winner Claire Foy (“Going to the Moon”), Rooney Mara (“Nightmare Alley”), Jessie Buckley (“I’m Thinking of Ending Things”), Judith Ivey (“Flags of Our Fathers”) and Golden Globe winner Ben Whishaw (“No Time to Die”) were in front of the camera.
Four-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) will also be seen in “The Debate”. She also acted behind the camera and also produced the drama together with the producer duo Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (“12 Years a Slave”). Oscar winner and Hollywood star Brad Pitt (“Minari – Wo wir Wurzeln schlagen”) was involved as executive producer.
However, the drama not only convinces with its artistic visual power and its renowned cast, but also deals with highly relevant topics such as abuse of power, faith and religion. The film celebrated its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival. The official German theatrical release is on 9 February 2023.
