THE CALLING

Year: 2009
UK: Guerilla Films
Cast: Brenda Blethyn, Emily Beecham, Susannah York, Rita Tushingham, Amanda Donohoe, Chloe Sirene, Susannah Harker, Corin Redgrave, David Bark-Jones, Nick Bartlett, Susannah Harker, Pauline McLynn, Joanna Scanlan, Nicola Stewart, Justin Salinger, Tom Stuart, Sean Wilton, Harriet Thorpe
Director: Jan Dunn
Country: UK
UK: 107 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and implied sex scenes
UK Release Date: 23 April 2010 (Limited Release)

UK Distributor

Synopsis

On the point of graduating from university instead of pursuing a career, Joanna (Emily Beecham) is following a calling to potentially a life's vocation as a nun. It's something she's always wanted from a child and in the face of disbelief from her boyfriend, mum and best friend she enters a closed order of Benedictines. The only one who supports her is the family's religious housekeeper, Consuela (Harriet Thorpe).

Settling in at the convent however, proves challenging when she meets the liberalism of a politically active Novice Sister, Ignatious (Brenda Blethyn) and a group of women with borderline mental illness that unfortunately includes a psychotic Mother Superior, an alcoholic football fan in charge of the vineyard, and Sister Hilda (Pauline McLynn) who over-piously cleans the floors.

Joanna is rapidly having doubts she's chosen the right path. However, as Joanna gradually gets to know the sisters she begins to experience and share in their community bond and spiritual fulfilment. Several weeks into her vocation she discovers something in herself which brings a whole new series of secrets out into the open until eventually the bond she has with Sister Ignatious dictates and assists in her destiny.