Dorothy Mills 附身

Written and directed by France’s Agnes Merlet, the plot follows loosely the case of a young Irish lass inhabited by the restless souls of a pack of mysterious strangers.

Dorothy Mills, played by Jenn Murray, is visited in her secluded island village by psychiatrist Jane, who sees Dorothy as a scared and confused little girl, ostricized by an insular community of farmers convinced she is a demon child.

Dr. Jane Van Dopp (Carice van Houten) on the otherhand, coming from a scientific and cosmopolitan background becomes Dorothy’s only hope after the spirits inhabiting her abuse a villager’s baby.

However, as their relationship evolves, Jane is slowly introduced to the different personalities living through the girl, drawing the doctor emotionally into the case as she begins to see in Dorothy her own dead son.

Though Merlet’s tightly-knit narrative suffocates speculation or scientific explanations, her strategy interestingly plays through with good form. Whether or not they agree, audiences can leave satisfied with a well-told story that highlights an intense public fear of mystery and inner conflict, and the human love and understanding required to overcome.

Yet, with the only significant twist in its conclusions, “Dorothy” relates a tale of brutish religious village justice, far-flung from the courthouses and happy endings city dwellers may have become too accustomed to.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email