Milwaukee Film Fest 2013: Beyond The Hills

The Romanian film “Beyond The Hills” is the kind incredibly good movie you'll probably only watch once. More than that can be a bit much, due to the issues discussed, incredible detail, and the knowledge that if there is a way out, it won't be an easy one.

“Beyond The Hills” revolves around two childhood friends, both of whom grew up together in a bleak orphanage. But they have since grown up and grown apart. While Voichita (Cosmina Stratan) has found refuge in a monastery ruled over by a priest she and the other nuns call Papa, Alina (Cristina Flutur) has left the country to work, but returned for Voichita so she can bring her to Germany with her. But Voichita refuses, saying that she has found fulfillment with God.

When Alina becomes ill, her condition slowly worsens, exacerbated by a region where there are few resources. Bad luck weakens her. Circumstances isolate her. As time goes on on, the tunnel Alina is traveling through becomes darker and darker, and the light at the end of it becomes more and more faint.

While it would be easy to simply demonize the monastery and those who reside in it, “Beyond The Hills” is a movie which refuses to take the easy way out. Alina remains at the monastery, knowing it is not the place for her, but can't stand the thought of continuing on in Germany alone. Voichita likewise can't stand the thought of leaving, but is unable to abandon Alina. And the nuns and the priest at the monastery allow her to stay because they cannot bring themselves to throw her out onto the street with nothing. What unfolds is the worst kind of tragedy, one that is the result of flawed, deprived people doing what they believe is the best thing, and all of them failing miserably.

If the movie has rage for anyone or anything, it is for the setting, one that leaves so many of its people with no resources, which has allowed superstition and fear to fill the void that society leaves vacant. Both the gift and curse of “Beyond The Hills” is the viewer will find themselves sympathizing with people who see an exorcism as a viable medical option.

At 150 minutes, it's a long, bleak ride, but none of it is wasted as every minute is used to create a slow burn, terrifyingly realistic horror film, complete with an atmosphere of repression and hopelessness, where the enemy is yourself and everyone surrounding you.

Grade: A+