The Innocents (2016 film)

The Innocents is a 2016 French-Polish drama film directed by Anne Fontaine. It stars Lou de Laâge, Agata Buzek, Agata Kulesza, Vincent Macaigne, and Joanna Kulig. The film, originally titled Agnus Dei, tells the story of a young French Red Cross doctor working in Poland shortly after World War II who is called to a Benedictine convent where several nuns are pregnant as a result of being raped by Soviet soldiers.

The film explores themes of faith, trauma, guilt, and the struggle to reconcile religious beliefs with the harsh realities of war. Dr. Mathilde Beaulieu, the protagonist, finds herself caught between her professional obligation to help the nuns and the nuns' desire to maintain secrecy and protect the reputation of their order. She grapples with her own beliefs while attempting to provide medical care and emotional support to the traumatized sisters.

The Innocents received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its performances, direction, and handling of sensitive subject matter. It was nominated for several awards, including a César Award for Best Film. The film is inspired by true events and offers a fictionalized account of the real-life experiences of Madeleine Pauliac, a French Red Cross doctor who worked in Poland after the war. The historical context of the post-war period and the impact of Soviet occupation on Polish society are crucial elements in understanding the film's narrative.