Watch The Sisters of Nagasaki

The Sisters of Nagasaki is a heart-wrenching story based on the real-life accounts of two French Catholic nuns, Marguerite and Marie, who were living in Nagasaki during the events leading up to the atomic bombing of the city in 1945. The movie takes us on a journey through their lives as they overcome obstacles, experience love and loss, and ultimately, make the ultimate sacrifice in the face of unimaginable destruction.

The story begins with Sister Marguerite, who is sent to Japan to help run a Catholic hospital. A skilled nurse and an optimistic person, Marguerite quickly gains the trust and respect of the local community. She forms a friendship with a Japanese doctor, Takeshi, who assists her in her work at the hospital. The two become close over time, and it becomes evident that they hold strong feelings for each other. However, their relationship is doomed to fail as it goes against social conventions and the Catholic Church's teachings.

Meanwhile, Sister Marie arrives in Nagasaki to assist Marguerite at the hospital. Marie is a young and inexperienced nun who struggles to adjust to the Japanese culture and the conditions of the hospital. She is initially overwhelmed by the suffering she is exposed to, but over time, she toughens up and learns to care for her patients. Marie goes through her own challenges, including a difficult period of self-reflection when she questions her faith.

As the movie progresses, the events of war start to unfold. The sisters witness firsthand the horrors that the war brings and the toll it takes on the people around them. They work tirelessly to treat the wounded and to support their patients and the local community. However, their efforts prove futile as the war culminates in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

The film does not spare the viewers from the destruction that the bomb causes. The sisters, along with their patients and colleagues, are caught in the midst of the blast. The aftermath of the bombing is brilliantly portrayed, highlighting the chaos and devastation that took place in the aftermath of the atomic attack.

The movie shows the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit as the sisters and the surviving members of the community band together to help each other through this tragedy. It is hard not to be moved by the bravery and selflessness that these people exhibit in the face of overwhelming devastation. The portrayal of the sisters is particularly moving, as it shows the range of emotions they feel throughout the events. Their faith is tested, but they remain steadfast in their commitment to their beliefs, even in the most trying of circumstances.

One of the most poignant moments in the movie is when Marguerite and Marie make the ultimate sacrifice for their patients. When they realize that the hospital is unlikely to survive the further attacks, they take it upon themselves to administer morphine to their patients, allowing them to die without suffering any further. The scene is particularly emotional as it makes us question the concept of empathy and how our own decisions impact those around us.

Overall, The Sisters of Nagasaki is an incredibly moving movie that portrays the disorienting effects of war, the destructive power of atomic weapons, and the bravery of ordinary people in the face of unimaginable challenges. The movie serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of compassion and empathy in the face of adversity. It is a movie that is sure to move even the most hardened viewer.

The Sisters of Nagasaki is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.