Sinners

Very unsettling subject. I wasn't aware that Ireland was a church run state until I saw Sinners (and subsequently read about The Magdalene Sisters). It reminds me of the Salem Witch Hunt, or McCarthyism or the Spanish Inquisition in that people were not allowed to think or believe whatever they chose. Imagine in modern times (these types of "homes" or "prisons" were finally closed for good in the mid-1990's!!) the state being able to control you for going against some antiquated church doctrine. It seems unthinkable. To my mind, living in a free and democratic country should mean you can believe what you choose and decide whether or not to allow a/your church to imprison you, beat you, take away your baby and then still keep you locked up. My mind reels that a modern society in the western world could allow this.

This is a truly harrowing drama. Set in the ultra conservative Ireland of the 60s, it portrays how Catholic women were punished because they became pregnant out of wedlock. The direction is among the best I have ever seen. Kudos. I have not yet seen the better-known "Magdalene Sisters," but I'm sure it will not disappoint.