Displaying items by tag: An Amish Sin movie

AN AMISH SIN

US, 2022, 85 minutes, Colour.

Dylan Ratzlaff, Kellie Martin, Rukya Bernard.

Directed by Michael Nankin.

Audiences have a fascination with religious groups, sects, cults, especially with movies made for television as this one.

Each film offers a perspective on life within the Amish community, its traditions, its way of life, the place of men and authority, the place of women, the Bishop and his authority… And some films more sympathetic than others.

The focus is on Rachel, initially accepting her place in the community, her relationship with her parents, at the prospect of an arranged marriage especially with the person who abused her when she was young. Rebellion, severity crime the authorities, from family, going to a community where she could be re-formed, escape, the prospects of living another life, a final visit to the community, to the Bishop, and a life decision.

Probably the best film about the Amish way of life is Peter Weir’s 1985, Witness. Also of interest, especially with the shakers, their British origins and moved to the United States, the 2025 The Testament Ann Lee.

1. Audience interest in Amish stories? Way of life, religious beliefs, always in the modern world? (And the image of bus tours with gawking tourists?)
2. The setting, the community, homes, religious assemblies, work? The contrast with the ordinary world, Grace and her apartment, the art world and photos, the contrast with Amish? The musical score, the hymns?
3. Rachel’s story, her age, the opening with the baptism, her acceptance within the church? Her father and his strictness, the severity of her mother’s manner, her sister, the boys and their mischief? The visit of her uncle, her being wary, the encounter with him? Gradual revelation of the past, his behaviour, at age 8, the presumption that she was attempting her uncle? The discussion with her father, his weeping her and blaming her?
4. The religious devotion, tested, the Amish beliefs and practice? The superiority of the men, are blamed, the imagery of the and Adam? The film as a protest on behalf of Amish women and sexual abuse?
5. Her living the life, the blame, the father’s whipping, the decision to run away, the discussion with her friends, the contact with Grace and her photography? Her being sent to the Centre for the recalcitrant women, the group there, their experiences? The prison like existence, the timetable, the Bible studies, locked in the room at 7 PM? The discussions with the other women? The visit from her father, her mother, standing outside, the decision to run away?
6. In the city, Grace seeing her, inviting her in, her clothes, no shoes, the cup of coffee, the room, Grace’s boyfriend coming out, embarrassment? His kindness the next morning? Her loneliness, wanting to go home? The visit from her friend, the talk, the attraction, the sexual advance, her saying no?
7. The transformation, clothes, her hair visible, the photo? The clothes? The message about her mother in hospital, the visit, been shunned by everyone?
8. The mother’s death, putting on her clothes again, her being shunned, the funeral, the outer? The reception, her talk with her sister? Her father and his apology?
9. Grace urging her to know in the herself, going to the assembly, asking the bishop for forgiveness, confession, her assertion, her leaving?
10. A new life? The glimpse of the police going to visit her uncle – and nothing further is shown? Her future?