Requiem

This compelling drama, set in the 70s, follows a fragile young German girl during her first year away from home -- a strict religious family in a small town. Despite her long battle with epilepsy, she is anxious to study at the university. But a new friendship with Hanna and budding romance with Stefan crack open the shell of faith and family security. Rejecting psychiatry and medical solutions out of fear, she ultimately turns to a young, crusading priest, himself out of place in the contemporary world. She’s enthralled as he spins an increasingly dubious and demonic narrative about her condition. This exceptional film, which has already won several best acting awards for its star, is based on the true story of a 23-year-old student in Miltenberg, Germany who underwent an exorcism in1976. Alternately shocking and meditative, Requiem is a bold triumph for the director and his muse, actress Sandra Hüller. With subtitles. (Hans-Christian Schmid; Germany; 2006; 93 min)