In a small secluded village in Haute Provence, in the Hautes Alpes, there are two young girls: Anna and Myriam, the two heroines of this film. One has a calling to enter the religious orders, the other, to get married and start a family. Then comes the appearance of the Virgin Mary.
The entire theme of the film revolves around Anna, is she the seer or is it?… Too soon to tell. The church entrusts the investigation to a commission and calls for the help of a renowned reporter (Vincent Lindon).
This reporter is deeply affected by the death of his photographer in the Middle East; this detail is important. The journalist retraces Anna’s life and discovers the numerous people who have influenced this young girl. Inevitably, the apparition brings out the sincere people and the merchants of the temple.
The church is divided, some believe in Anna, others doubt. The journalist continues his investigations and discovers the existence of Myriam. There was a cry on the day of the apparition, at the same moment and place, and then there is the half-burnt icon. Anna becomes the victim, is she the seer or is it…. The journalist returns to the place where his friend died, where the icon was, and he finds Myriam.
This film, over two hours long, is poignant. The director managed to maintain a perfect balance in the script, never falling into caricature; everything is true, possible, and you leave the theater contemplating Anna’s sacrifice for her friend Myriam.
Thierry Jan
