Beyond the Hills

A woman determined to rescue her childhood friend from an austere Romanian monastery encounters unexpected resistance in this visually striking drama inspired by the writings of Tatiana Niculescu Bran. As a young orphan, fiery Alina was fiercely protective of the more fragile Voichita. Over time, the two girls became lovers, a chapter of Voichita’s life that brought her great shame and guilt. Now, as a nun-in-training, Voichita (Cosmina Stratan) has devoted her life to God. Stern priest Papa (Valeriu Andriuta) is determined to ensure that Voichita and the rest of the women under his watch remain on a righteous path when Alina (Cristina Flutur) shows up on a mission to bring her old friend back to Germany. When Voichita proves reluctant to leave the monastery, Alina decides to remain there in hopes she will eventually change her mind. Meanwhile, Papa has grown convinced that Alina has been possessed by demonic forces, and that it’s his divine mission to exorcise her of them., A woman attempts to rescue her childhood friend from an austere Romanian monastery, and in the process clashes with a stern monk who believes she is possessed by demons.