Paradise: Faith – review

The second in Ulrich Seidl's trilogy about women seeking self-fulfilment is kinky and grimly humorous, writes Catherine Shoard


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Just as those who've enjoyed Richard Linklater's Before Midnight are now revisiting the first two films in his lost-love trilogy, so those who've thrilled to Paradise: Hope, the final instalment of Ulrich Seidl's triptych about women seeking self-fulfilment on holiday, will be eager to catch up with the middle section.

Faith is perhaps the purest expression of the caustic Austrian's key concern: the friction between sexual fetish and religious fundamentalism. This he explores without flinching, or mercy for his lead, devoutly kinky Anna Maria (Maria Hofstätter), though not without grim humour. For believers, it'll be an essential tract. Such is its commitment even the sceptical can't help but be impressed through the retching.

Contributor

Catherine Shoard

The GuardianTramp

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