☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

In this feature film released in December 2022, Toronto-based filmmaker Sarah Polley adds another entry to her catalog of feminist and activist works. She makes a bold and deliberate choice by casting almost exclusively women and children, except for one character, August (Ben Whishaw). August is uniquely positioned: he is tasked with recording the minutes of a meeting where women deliberate on how to respond to a crisis within their community. They refer to their group as "the Colony," which is structured around strict religious principles and follows a traditionalist, conservative lifestyle (akin to the Amish community, for example).

Sarah Polley sets the scene from the start: all the men of the Colony are temporarily expelled following the public exposure of a series of sexual assaults inflicted on all the women and girls of the community. These women awaken with physical traces of the assaults—wounds, complications such as infections and pregnancies—imprinted on their bodies but not in their memories. It's revealed that horse tranquilizers were used to facilitate these collective assaults.

Their response is also collective: they hold a vote.

Do nothing.

Stay and fight.

Leave.

Three options form the crux of an existential debate, shouldered by a small group of women including Ona (Rooney Mara), Salome (Claire Foy), Mariche (Jessie Buckley), Greta (Sheila McCarthy), Mejal (Michelle McLeod), and Agata (Judith Ivey).

The film meticulously observes this deliberation, endeavoring to depict how collective thinking can evolve, become distorted, transform, contradict itself, and ultimately resolve. It offers an insightful look at topics that have been debated within feminist movements for decades, effectively capturing the nuances and complexities involved. The female characters each embody a somewhat caricatured archetype of feminist persona seen in popular culture: the idealist, the fierce one, the rebel, the indifferent one, the distraught one, the ally, the individualist. These straightforward and somewhat stereotypical characters inadvertently replicate classic gender stereotypes. Nevertheless, the film's strength lies in the combination of these personalities, which introduces multiple layers of complexity to the narrative, as together, these women engage in a deep and liberating reflection.

The film’s subdued ambiance with desaturated colors establishes a slow atmosphere that matches the weight of the subject. Some scenes might seem overly lengthy and redundant, occasionally dulling the viewer's engagement. However, the film remains impactful, portraying a fragile yet robust humanity, exquisitely performed by the talented cast.

Reference

Director/Creator: Sarah Polley
Title: Women Talking
Release date: 2022
This movie is available on AppleTV, Prime Video and YouTube.