Beyond the Hills 2013
Directed by
Cristian Mungiu
Made by
Sundance Selects
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Beyond the Hills (2013). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Two young women from Romania, Voichița and Alina, find themselves at a Romanian Orthodox convent during the season of Lent. As they reminisce, Voichița reveals to Alina that a sacred icon in the altar is known to grant wishes. The two share a complicated history; they were once roommates at a children’s home and had a physical relationship while Alina worked in Germany. At the convent, they encounter a 30-year-old Priest who harshly critiques the diminishing faith in Western Europe, pointing to issues like same-sex marriage, and he strictly forbids non-believers from entering the monastery.
Concerned about Alina’s spirituality, the Priest questions Voichița about her friend’s church attendance and urges Alina to confess. Despite Alina’s desire to reconnect intimately with Voichița, the latter advises caution, reminding her that it is Lent.
After some time, when Alina leaves the convent, Voichița fetches her back, only to reveal that she has taken vows to become a nun. Voichița declares that her love for Alina has transformed; her commitment to God now defines her existence. However, Alina yearns for escape and pleads with Voichița to leave with her. When Voichița declines, Alina, in distress, attempts to jump down a well, a move that leads to her being restrained by the nuns and subsequently taken to the hospital. Here, she is also bound to prevent harm, and the nuns read her passages about sin as part of her recovery.
Alina decides to undergo a strict Black Fast, but when she tries to approach the altar to make a wish to the icon, the Priest confronts her. He acknowledges the icon’s power but warns her that entering the altar is a grave sin, claiming that Alina is influenced by the Devil within the convent.
As Alina’s mental and physical state deteriorates, the nuns take her back to the hospital, where she is pronounced dead upon arrival. Medical staff discover the marks left from her restraints and assert that this could be classified as homicide. Fearing the implications, the nuns learn that law enforcement will investigate the convent. An officer examines the scene and interprets the board used for restraint as reminiscent of a cross, stating that this form of restraint leading to death constitutes homicide. Despite the Priest’s claims of no malicious intent—drawing a parallel to a parent’s right to enforce medical treatment—the officer counters that Alina neither was a child nor did the Priest hold guardianship over her.
In a twist of fate, the nuns cite Alina’s formidable strength, while Voichița alleges that Alina practiced martial arts. Ultimately, the police take the Priest and the nuns implicated in Alina’s restraints into custody, and Voichița makes the painful choice to join them. This story unfolds a gripping narrative about love, faith, and the haunting consequences of belief.
Timeline
Track the key events of Beyond the Hills (2013) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Arrival at the Convent
Voichița and Alina, two young women from Romania, arrive at a secluded convent during the Lenten season. This setting becomes the backdrop for their complicated relationship and spiritual journey.
Revelation of the Sacred Icon
While reminiscing, Voichița shares with Alina that a sacred icon in the convent's altar is believed to grant wishes. This revelation sparks a mix of hope and tension between the two women, forcing them to confront their past.
The Priest's Critique
The 30-year-old Priest expresses his harsh views on the diminishing faith in Western Europe. He emphasizes the church's stance on same-sex marriage and warns against the influence of non-believers in the monastery.
Concern for Alina's Spirituality
The Priest questions Voichița about Alina's church attendance, urging Alina to seek confession. His intervention highlights his growing concern over Alina's faith and the implications of their relationship during Lent.
Voichița's Vow
Alina's plans to deepen their intimate connection are met with Voichița's declaration that she has taken vows to become a nun. This shift in Voichița's commitment brings emotional turmoil for Alina, who feels abandoned.
Alina's Desperate Attempt
In a moment of despair over Voichița's decision, Alina attempts to jump down a well. Her drastic action leads to her being restrained by the nuns, showcasing her emotional instability and desperation for freedom.
Hospitalization
After being restrained, Alina is taken to the hospital for her injuries. There, the nuns read her passages about sin as part of her recovery process, a method that illustrates their belief in spiritual healing over medical treatment.
Black Fast Decision
Alina decides to undergo a strict Black Fast, hoping to find solace and clarity. However, when she approaches the altar to make a wish to the sacred icon, the Priest intervenes and warns her of the grave sin involved.
Alina's Health Deteriorates
As Alina's physical and mental health declines, the nuns decide to take her back to the hospital. Her condition raises alarms about the treatment she received at the convent.
Alina's Death
Upon arrival at the hospital, Alina is pronounced dead. Medical staff notice the marks from the restraints, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Investigation Begins
Law enforcement begins to investigate the convent following Alina's death. The officer examining the scene draws parallels between the restraint board and a cross, suggesting that it may constitute homicide.
The Priest's Defense
The Priest claims no malicious intent behind Alina’s treatment, arguing that it was akin to a parent's rights in enforcing medical care. However, this defense is met with challenges as Alina was neither a child nor under his guardianship.
The Nuns' Allegations
In a twist of fate, the nuns claim Alina had formidable strength and even practiced martial arts. This claim adds complexity to the narrative, twisting the perspectives around Alina's behavior and treatment.
Custody of the Priest and Nuns
Ultimately, the police take the Priest and the nuns implicated in Alina's restraints into custody. Voichița faces a painful decision as she decides to join them, signaling her commitment to truth amidst suffering.
The Haunting Consequences
As the story unfolds, it presents a gripping narrative filled with themes of love, faith, and the haunting consequences of belief. Voichița's inner conflict and Alina's tragic fate resonate deeply with the audience.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Beyond the Hills (2013) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Voichița
Voichița grapples with her feelings for Alina while navigating her commitment to God and her newfound life as a nun. She embodies a deep moral conflict between her love for Alina and her spiritual vows, often finding herself torn between the two. Her character represents the struggle of devotion facing the realities of human relationships and emotions.
Alina
Alina is a complex character marked by her yearning for freedom and love. Her struggles with faith and mental health highlight the intense pressure she faces in the convent's oppressive atmosphere. As her journey unfolds, her desperation for connection leads to tragic consequences, ultimately questioning the balance between personal desire and institutional constraints.
Priest
The Priest serves as a stern representative of religious authority, embodying the conflicts between tradition and modernity. His harsh critiques reflect a deeper concern for the faith of the individuals in the convent, but his rigid adherence to doctrine leads to tragic outcomes for Alina. He symbolizes the complexities of spiritual leadership and the burden of moral choices.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Beyond the Hills (2013), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Lent
The story unfolds during the season of Lent, a period of reflection, fasting, and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter in Christianity. This time of penance underscores the characters' struggles with faith, desire, and guilt, providing a rich context for their complex interactions.
Location
Romania, Orthodox convent
The movie is set in a Romanian Orthodox convent, a serene location known for its spiritual significance and religious practices during Lent. This convent serves as a contrasting backdrop to the tumultuous relationship between Voichița and Alina, highlighting themes of love and faith amidst a restrictive religious environment.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Beyond the Hills (2013). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💔
Love
The theme of love is central to the narrative as it explores the intense bond between Voichița and Alina. Their relationship transitions from a romantic connection to a struggle for spiritual and personal fulfillment, raising questions about the nature of love when challenged by faith and commitment.
⛪
Faith
Faith plays a vital role as the characters grapple with their beliefs within a strict religious framework. The film scrutinizes the impact of faith on individual choices and relationships, contrasting personal desires with societal and religious expectations.
⚖️
Justice
The theme of justice is poignantly portrayed as the consequences of Alina's tragic fate lead to legal scrutiny of the nuns and the Priest. The narrative challenges viewers to consider moral responsibility and the complexities of accountability within religious institutions.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.