By REY FLORES
Poland 1945 — cold, dark, and bleak. This is how The Innocents starts off, giving the viewer an idea of what the rest of the film will look like. But despite the grayish and neutral look of the movie, the light of life and faith in God radiates much brighter than if the film had been shot entirely in the sunlight.
Based on a true story about some Polish nuns who were systemically raped and impregnated by Russian soldiers toward the end of World War II, The Innocents examines all of their bewilderment, fear, and anguish — and then the joy and beauty of womanhood as it is greatly tested, but redeemed in the end.
Not knowing what to make of a howling that she hears in her convent, a nun bravely sets out to find a doctor, and connects with a French Red Cross volunteer who plays a great role in the lives of these religious.
One pregnant nun is a big problem for the Mother Superior; but when there are many pregnant nuns, the secret which must be kept becomes much more difficult.
With the help of the French Red Cross volunteer, the nuns carry their babies to term with the promise that adoptive homes will be found for the infants.
While some of the nuns curiously accept their current state as God’s will, they wonder at some of the changes they are going through physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Justifiably so, some other nuns are still traumatized by the turn of events which were most unexpected, and much more so unwelcome.
I couldn’t help thinking of pro-life leader and my personal friend Rebecca Kiessling, who is the founder and president of Save the 1. This organization educates the public about the value and importance of children conceived through rape.
Kiessling herself was almost aborted when her mother at a young age had been raped and felt that abortion might be the best decision for her. Thankfully and by the grace of God, Rebecca was born and since has probably helped save thousands of babies by her own witness and efforts.
Similarly, this film takes the cruel and terrible act of rape, especially the rape of holy religious women who are virgins and consecrated to God, and makes the great point that good comes out of suffering.
When I met Rebecca about five years ago, she led me to understand in the most profound way the value of all human life, especially life conceived under painful and difficult circumstances. She said: “I came to the realization that I wasn’t a creation of my biological father, but that I was a beautiful creation of God the Father.”
I was floored by that powerful statement and I felt that same powerful emotion when viewing this terrific film.
I highly recommend The Innocents for adult audiences — given the subject matter. Perhaps some more mature teenaged youth may be able to understand and appreciate the movie. The Innocents is rated PG-13 and runs just short of two hours. It is now showing in theaters across the United States.
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