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Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Women Talking, as well as mentions of sexual violenceThough it tells a difficult story, the Women Talking ending concludes on an uplifting note. Written and directed by Sarah Polley, and adapted from the 2018 novel of the same name by Miriam Toews, Women Talking released in theaters in late 2022 and became one of the best reviewed movies of the year. The film went on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars as well as winning Best Adapted Screenplay for Sarah Polley’s script.
After two days of deliberating, Women Talking ends with the characters having made their decision — they would leave the Mennonite colony, and the only life they’ve ever known, behind to start anew elsewhere. Women Talking‘s main characters, including Ona Rooney Mara), Salome (Claire Foy), and Mariche (Jessie Buckley), who gather their children as well, pack everything they have and can spare before riding away at dawn. After going back and forth on whether they should do nothing or leave, the latter was a choice they came to collectively, and is one that would affect their future.
What Is The Meaning Behind Women Talking’s Title?
The meaning behind Women Talking’s title might seem obvious, but it’s not just a reference to the women of the film, well, talking. The film’s title refers to the women speaking discreetly about the subjects they don’t want others, and in this instance men, to overhear. Be it about sex or personal, life-changing situations, women may talk about a myriad of things. In the case of the film, It’s why the characters’ discussions are conducted in secret, away from the men, to afford them some privacy. Women Talking’s subject and title suggest not all conversations are for the public, and confiding in other women over topics only they might understand develops trust.
Why The Women Decide To Leave Their Mennonite Colony
In Women Talking, the women faced a difficult decision, one that would be hard on them no matter what they ultimately decided to do. The characters decided to leave rather than stay living in the Mennonite colony because they knew they couldn’t forgive the men for what they did, and they couldn’t simply go back to the way things were, either. Their trust had been broken, and, though they would be leaving their entire lives behind, Ona, Mariche, and the other women felt it would be better to start fresh than continue to live in a community that harmed them.
Why Frances McDoramnd’s Scarface Janz Stays Behind
Frances McDormand’s character, who had a minor role in the grand scheme of things, allows the women to meet, but remains on the sidelines. Scarface Janz ultimately stays behind in Women Talking’s Mennonite colony because she doesn’t agree with the other women’s decision. Rather, Scarface Janz thinks they should all forgive and forget the traumatic ordeal. In many ways, McDormand’s steely character is a woman who upholds the patriarchal systems instead of fighting back against them. Scarface Janz is perfectly content to keep things as they are, which is why she has no desire to leave and make a new life for herself outside the colony.
Women Talking’s Biggest Differences From The Book
When it comes to adapting a book, not everything makes the transfer from the page to the big screen. Such is the case with Women Talking. While Polley’s film maintains the book’s essence, there are few things that are cut out, including August’s narration of events. In the film, August is more of a passive bystander, responsible for taking the meeting’s minutes and occasionally chiming in with his opinion when asked. One of the characters in the book, Peters — the leader of the Mennonite colony who turned a blind eye to what was happening — doesn’t appear, nor is he named by any of the women.
Women Talking primarily removes any direct references to St. Augustine, who wrote Confessions. The novel draws many parallels to Confessions — notably, August’s name is a reference to Augustine, and an incident that sees August stealing pairs, as well as his mother’s name (Monica), are all connected to Augustine. While Polley’s feature film adaptation doesn’t name Monica or reference the pear story, the writings of Augustine indirectly create a throughline for the film. This is especially the case in the women’s ideas for a new way of life: A religion that eschews the love of oneself and worldly matters over God.
Why August’s Family Was Excommunicated (& Why He Came Back)
August’s mother challenged the Mennonite colony’s beliefs. Rather than looking inward and engaging with her about it, the men chose to excommunicate her and her family. Any challenges were deemed inappropriate in a community where women weren’t educated, and maintaining the status quo was key. August was thus able to live a life outside the colony and knows better than anyone that it’s possible. It makes his presence at the women’s meeting more pronounced because he acts like somewhat of a guiding and supportive force.
August came back to the Mennonite colony in the hopes that he might be able to reconcile what happened to his mother. Crucially, however, August returned to the colony because he loved Ona, with whom he was close to in childhood. August worried about her, and wanted to be near her, which is what ultimately fueled his decision to return to a place that was unkind to his family. August was driven by his feelings for Ona, and wanted to be there for her regardless of whether they had a future together.
What Role Does Female Imagination Play In Women Talking?
At the start, Women Talking tells the audience that the story is an act of “female imagination.” ALong with the book, Women Talking is based on a true incident from 2009, in which the women of a Mennonite community in Bolivia were raped by a group of men, the film’s act of female imagination comes in the form of their deliberation and decision to leave. When rape happens, it’s difficult to imagine leaving the very structure that led to such violence. But Ona, Salome, Mariche, and the rest of the women dare to imagine a life free from fear and violence, a future where they can make their own way without being directly haunted by the memory of what happened to them and the men whose actions will have no real consequences.
Will Ona & August Reunite In The Future?
August and Ona’s love for each other is deeply felt throughout Women Talking. However, the film ends with them parting ways. Ona leaves the Mennonite colony with the other women, and August stays behind to continue teaching. Considering August has lived outside of the community before, it’s possible he may choose to do so again. If he manages to find where the women have settled, they could be reunited at last. While it’s unclear if Ona would want a romantic relationship, the pair have a strong bond that can’t be shaken. Though it might not be for many years, August could go searching for Ona at some point in the future.
The Real Meaning Of Women Talking
Women Talking grapples with the sexual violence that can be embedded within every society, no matter how small or close-knit, and how the men who commit such acts rarely face any true justice or accountability for their actions. It’s a very timely story, and it explores how women are perceived when alleging sexual violence, their inner turmoil in the aftermath, and the limited options they have. Women Talking also contends with the nature of evil, its layers and what it means, and those who commit crimes but call themselves men of God.
While each of the main characters in Women Talking have to deal with what happened in their own ways, the shared experience creates a community that they share together. They fight and argue about the right course of action to take, but in the end, they are there to support each other. That was the importance behind the movie and Sarah Polley reveals (via The Wrap) that the rehearsal process embraced that spirit.
Polley reveals that there was a rule in the rehearsals that anyone having a hard time could call for a break which one actor ended up needing. Polley explains, “I gave the person an option of calling it a day, but they wanted to come back in. And the whole cast had formed a circle on the floor with a space for them. The generosity sprang up in a way that was really palpable. And I was just like, ‘Wow, this really is a community.'”
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