The Very Private Work of Sister K

This is a fascinating and unusual piece for its bravery at turning what would seem material for a stage play into a film and doing it so successfully. No complex twisting and turning storyline, exotic locations or special effects here, instead it's a one location chamber piece with a nun on trial for her sexual transgressions. Director/writer Johan Liedgren coaxes detailed and layered performances out of the ensemble - particularly Liza Curtiss as Sister K - and they skillfully navigate Liedgren's probing, intelligent and metaphorical dialogue and make it all feel fresh and natural, while also giving the tensions and contradictions between sex, desire and religious faith dramatic urgency and weight. This film proves you can throw away the screenwriting books and still create something which is absorbing and meaningful, and which stays with you long after it has ended.

It is difficult to articulate the inaccuracy of the 'Storyline' (or the one posted review at the time of writing) without spelling out too much of the plot or otherwise spoiling the experience of watching this for those who may not appreciate specifics. The exisiting reviewer who I assume has an interest in this piece draws parallels with 12 Angry Men (in their dreams) and generally gives the impression of a worthwhile dialogue about the nature of lust and morality. It is nothing of the kind, merely a convening of some ecclesiastic court or other that predetermines how it is to hush up the case of a nun who abuses her position as carer. Most of the dialogue relates either to the perverseness of the religious authorities in protecting their own interests or a rather narrow and tetchy exchange between the nun (who, clearly having no respect for her vocation, has committed abuse) and one of the members of the gathering. If you do sit through this then consider the nun's performance and ask yourself how in any way that women could have been in that institution and held those views. Her dialogue and certainly the way it was acted gave no credibility to anything other than an actress in a costume. The dialogue is not illuminating, it is as narrow as anything could be expected that involves religiosity and I regret sitting through it in the hope it would improve or deliver something of meaning. The acting was that of a one act stage play in a small theatre but despite the content was well produced which is worth a few stars. But the script was thin, thin and unimpressive.

If 12 Angry Men, Eyes Wide Shut, are your type of movie, then you must watch this one. Rated No.7 as 2016 must watch.

No matter where we are in existence sex remains as a hot topic issue. "The Very Private Work of Sister K" is an amazingly well balanced movie that uses a courtroom-drama structure to set the course for a debate about sex. Between those who believe in its beauty and those who deem themselves the keepers of its morality. While it would be easy to see this movie taking on the stance from a woman's perspective, Johan approaches the concept of sex more from a spirituality sense where a person of any gender or of any sexuality can relate to. The effectiveness of the film is impart due to the performance of Liza Curtiss who plays Sister K — a character who saw the power and value of sex and the unity in two people when they become joined together in passion. More importantly, the strength of her character shines as she continues to hold strong in her convictions when those who believe they hold the power to declare what is right and wrong try to tear her down. Her ability to deflect their attacks with wit and understanding of something they fear makes her performance, her character, and the movie, something that needs to be seen.

This film is close to perfect. It works on so many levels, has such wonderful assured performances that are in themselves a joy. Witty, brave, coruscating, one of those films that will stay with you for a long long time, and be frequently re-watched.

Since 2014 when it was made the revelations and accusations of abuse, which are at the heart of the film, have plagued the most mature and intricate religion on our planet. Roman Catholicism.

What many people fail to grasp, including most Roman Catholics, is that the men and women - priests and nuns who minister to the faithful, are all very capable and in fact encouraged to decide for themselves what their God finds sinful. The idea is that this basically lines up with RC's teachings. But that 'inner conscious' might override that.

The Visitor in the film makes that point at the beginning. In the story, the accused nun takes her cue from Eve in the allegory of the Garden of Eden to decide that what she was doing was not only okay, but an affirmation, celebration & expansion of her faith and he life, and work... And only her God could judge her..

Since time immemorial, secular authorities have placed a lot of stock on the teachings of various religions to keep people in line over matters of sexuality, behaviour, morality even diet, and other areas of life that they would rather not legislate over... Without fully understanding the loopholes that mature religions like RC have introduced!!

Among many other elements of human sexuality, consent, and the ecclesiastical process for investigation that this magnificent film highlights; that aspect is the most through provoking.

It is almost impossible to write a review of this without including spoilers of some kind, so I'm going to avoid any detail of content. This film contains broad hints at how to be formally punctilious and simultaneous avoid actuality. It contains an exploration of semantics. It contains an exploration of what it is to be human. And so much more. And all done with drama and humour.