“Do nothing. Stay and fight. Leave.” Those are the options the women of a religious colony have before them in the compelling film ‘Women Talking.’ It is a horrifying true story where seven men from a Mennonite colony were convicted of drugging and serially raping over 100 women from their community. They used a cow anesthetic on the victims. Writer-director Sarah Polley adapted Miriam Toew’s 2018 novel of the same name to film. Much of the story that unfolds is a discussion about what should be done about these atrocities. The stellar ensemble cast makes this important film a must-see for cinephiles.
Much of the story feels like a play. A group of women gather in a barn alongside a schoolteacher August (Ben Whishaw), who agrees to take the minutes since the women cannot write. Each character has strong beliefs. They all want the same thing which is safety for their families. Ona (Rooney Mara) remains optimistic despite what happened to her. She is pregnant as a result of her rape and plans to have the child. Salome (Claire Foy) is protective of her young daughter who experienced sexual assault. Mariche (Jessie Buckley) is angry and wants revenge for the unspeakable acts committed. Frances McDormand who also produced the film, plays a colony leader opposed to leaving.
The men are away for a short period of time. The women meet up in the barn to discuss their future. The conversations and arguments make the story urgent. Trauma is usually complicated and emotional. It is not an easy decision. If they decide to leave the colony, they would be leaving their world behind them. The women were told the sexual assaults were an act from Satan. But this time one of the attackers is caught. This gives the women 24 hours to decide what to do before the men return.
Some of the women have endured these vicious acts for so long that leaving the colony means they abandon the kingdom of heaven. Some are open to a conversation. There is a chance to change their minds. One elderly woman tells stories about her horses Ruth and Cheryl. It is a hard pill to swallow. None of the women have been taught to read. The teen girls (Kate Hallet, Liv McNeil, Michelle McLeod) giggle in the background and braid each other’s hair. The stakes are high. If nothing is done, their young daughters could be the next victims of the men. How can these men commit such evil? The women talk and it becomes clear that it goes against the will of God.
The cinematography by Luc Montpellier is shot with muted colors. It reflects the limited world of the women. The minimalist score also accentuates the proceedings like a folk tale. The music consists of guitars, strings, bells and cymbals. I like how Polley invites the audience into the barn to observe this isolated Mennonite colony. You feel empathy toward these women. They are good, simple people that believe in God and family. They just want the violence to stop. They want to protect the next generation of women from the trauma they have faced.
I enjoyed every minute of ‘Women Talking.’ It reminded me of a play. When you have such a remarkable ensemble cast, you don’t need much else to keep you engaged with the story. Claire Foy, Rooney Mara and Jessie Buckley are phenomenal. They had me at hello with their brilliant performances. This film is about trauma and how these women overcome it. Women are talking and I’m listening!
