The Magdalene Sisters (2002) 8/10

Starring : Geraldine McEwan, Anne-Marie Duff, Nora-Jane Noone, Dorothy Duffy
Director : Peter Mullan
Running Time : 114 mins

A trio of Irish girls, who have all been accused of sin, are sent to the Magdalene Asylum - basically a workhouse run by nuns where apparently fallen omen were sent to clense their sins so they wouldn't be sent to hell. There they are faced with threatening behaviour and violence from the mother superiror, Sister Bridget (McEwan), who won't leave them alone until they fall into line and obey her oppressive rules.

This is a frightening movie, which shows us the terrible truths about behaviour towards young women in the 60s, when they were sent to asylums for getting pregnant or being raped, under the pretence that they were somehow the only ones to blame. There are some very dark scenes, most of which revolve around the girls being paddled or forcibly having their heads shaved, so steer clear if this sort of mental and physical torture is too much for you.

You’ll like this if you liked : Girl, Interrupted