'She Who Must Burn': The controversies of film realism

Disclaimer: The beliefs expressed in the film She Who Must Burn do not reflect the writer's own views, nor those of CJLO 1690AM, CJLO's editorial board, our partners and affiliates.

She Who Must Burn, directed by Larry Kent and co-written by Kent and Shane Twerdun, is one of the most controversial films so gripped with the realism that it becomes disturbing. It sits right along Kevin Smith's Red State, poking a thorn in the side of Evangelical Christianity, and showing the religion at the extremes of absolute power and evil. Abortion is a taboo and controversial subject, especially for Evangelical Christians, Kent showcases their deep and passionate hatred for the subject in this horror-thriller. 
    
The film begins with a nurse asking a well-dressed man in a business suit what he is doing in an abortion clinic and calls for the doctor. The doctor come out and starts asking the man questions and they begin to converse. The man in the suit proceeds to shoot the doctor in the head, and falls to his knees with a rendition of the song "Amazing Grace". Right away this film does not shy away from the realism of gratuitous and senseless violence.     

Angela (Sarah Smyth) is a healthcare counsellor who runs a Planned Parenthood clinic out of her home. Being the last pro-abortion consoler in the town, she becomes the target of a fanatic, anti-abortion Evangelical movement lead by Jeremiah Baarker (Shane Twerdun). By his side are Caleb (Andrew Dunbar) and Rebecca (Missy Cross), who feel that procreation is the highest purpose for humankind, and Rebecca's recent miscarriages are God's punishment for allowing Angela to continue her practice. The peaceful and unrestful protests take a darker tone when it is discovered that Jeremiah's battered and bruised wife, who is using birth control, sought refuge in the clinic. Rebecca receives a sign from above that they must purify the town with the most powerful cleanser, fire, for she (Angela) must burn for her sins.

The disturbing part of the film is how it showcases the extreme positions of the anti-abortion movement. Given Kent's history of making films that challenge controversial subjects, She Who Must Burn seems as if the conflict between the anti and pro-abortion movements is a taboo subject that can be ignited at any moment if either side of the debate becomes radicalized. I do not intend to give a star rating for this form of artistic expression. It is not for the faint of heart, even though the film is aesthetically pleasing with great shots of natural surroundings. The work is cringe-worthy at the same time, as the camera does not shy away from the violence. However, if you are looking for film that brings a darkened reality to this controversial subject, She Who Must Burn is definitely worth seeking out.

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