Watch Sworn Virgin

Sworn Virgin is a drama film from 2015 directed by Laura Bispuri. The movie is set in Albania and Italy and follows the story of a young woman named Hana (Alba Rohrwacher) who, after living as a man for fourteen years, returns to her native village to reconnect with her family. The movie starts with Hana, who was born and raised in a remote mountain village in Albania, deciding to take an ancient oath of celibacy and become a sworn virgin. This is a tradition that has been practiced in Albania for centuries, where women can renounce their femininity and live as men in exchange for their virginity. By doing so, they gain more freedom and respect from their communities, as in Albanian tradition, women have fewer rights than men.

As Mark (Emily Ferratello), a young woman from Italy, comes to visit Hana in her village, the audience is introduced to the complex web of relationships within Hana's family, including the tension with her uncle and his family, who took care of her when she was a child. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Hana's decision to become a sworn virgin was not only an attempt to gain independence, but also a form of rebellion against her family.

As Mark becomes a catalyst for Hana's transformation and helps her to confront her past and her identity, they both embark on a journey of self-discovery and understanding. Mark, who is trying to gain her own independence from her family's expectations, finds in Hana the strength to overcome her fears and embrace her own desires.

The movie is beautifully shot and features stunning landscapes of rural Albania. The performances of the actors are superb, with Alba Rohrwacher delivering an outstanding portrayal of Hana. Rohrwacher captures the complexities of Hana's character and her journey from a stoic and reserved figure to a vulnerable and authentic human being.

Lars Eidinger plays the role of Lila, a German artist who meets Hana in Italy and becomes fascinated by her story. As Lila's obsession with Hana grows, she becomes a mirror of the characters' internal struggles and an instrument of change.

Sworn Virgin is a powerful and moving film that explores themes of gender identity, sexuality, and the struggle for personal freedom. It is a story about the courage to challenge cultural expectations and the power of love and self-discovery. The film is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and an invitation to embrace our true selves, no matter the cost.

Sworn Virgin is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 70.