Lourdes

Directed by Jessica Hausner
Film Movement
2009
96 Minutes
Austria, France, Germany
French
Drama
Not Rated
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Christine has been confined to a wheelchair for most of her life. In order to escape her isolation, she makes a journey to Lourdes, the iconic site of pilgrimage in the Pyrenees mountains. She wakes up one morning seemingly cured by a miracle. The leader of the pilgrimage group, a handsome 40-year-old volunteer from the Order of Malta, begins to take an interest in her. She tries to hold on to this newfound chance for happiness, while her cure provokes envy and admiration.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Jessica Hausner
  • Starring: Sylvie Testud
  • Starring: Léa Seydoux
  • Starring: Bruno Todeschini
  • Starring: Elina Löwensohn

Where to Watch

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "One of the pleasures of this intelligent, rigorously thoughtful, somewhat sly film is that it takes place in the space between the inexplicable (no explanation is possible) and the unexplained (enlightenment might be around the corner). Its director... wants to explore the mysteries of life, not its certainties. "
    Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
  • "Beautifully led by birdlike Sylvie Testud as an ailing young woman in a wheelchair, every character (pilgrim and helper alike) exhibits a soul. And shaped with confident talent by the Austrian filmmaker, every serenely composed shot matters."
    Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
  • "A provocative and surprising pleasure...."
    Dave Calhoun, Time Out
  • "A cucumber-cool satire which views the poetry and passion of spiritual faith through a prism of rigid bureaucracy and ruthless logic."
    Alan Mack, Little White Lies
  • "This film is both good and powerful. It is as magically, richly ambivalent as life itself."
    Nigel Andrews, Financial Times
  • "Hausner manages and controls our expectations in this superbly subtle, mysterious and brilliantly composed film."
    Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
  • "One of the most observant -- and enigmatic -- movies of the year."
    David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle
  • "A cool and firmly ambitious film from Austria’s Jessica Hausner, Lourdes is an accomplished work which radiates intelligence."
    Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily
  • "Jessica Hausner's tour de force of ambivalence, intelligence and invention will make you believe in cinematic miracles, at least."
    Jonathan Romney, Independent (UK)
Winner
FIPRESCI Prize
Venice Film Festival
Winner
SIGNIS Award
Venice Film Festival
Winner
Sergio Trasatti Award
Venice Film Festival
Winner
Brian Award
Venice Film Festival
Winner
Best Actress
European Film Awards
Winner
Grand Prix
Warsaw Int'l. Film Festival
Nominated
Best International Film
Santa Barbara Int'l. Film Festival
Official Selection
Toronto Int'l. Film Festival
Official Selection
BFI London Film Festival
Official Selection
Sundance Film Festival
Official Selection
Int'l. Film Festival Rotterdam
Official Selection
Karlovy Vary Int'l. Film Festival