“Intelligent, rigorously thoughtful, somewhat sly…
Ms. Testud, a tiny actress with an often oversize and ferocious screen presence, delivers a
minutely detailed performance that telegraphs a world with a thrust of her chin, a widening of her eyes.”
– Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
Click here to read the full review.


[highest rating]
“A cosmic black comedy that bumps up against the metaphysical.”
– Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
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“CRITICS’ PICK!
Truly affecting. Boasts a gorgeous, muted palette and a tone that’s fresh, spare and haunting.”
– Miranda Siegel, New York magazine

“One of the most gifted young filmmakers to emerge from Austria in recent years…
LOURDES unfolds with a quiet, cool choreography. Watching Christine – played by Sylvie Testud,
an exceptional actress… – slowly reanimate is indeed a transcendent moment. Many wry touches…”
– Melissa Anderson, Artforum

“CRITICS’ PICK! Superb. Sylvie Testud is nothing short of miraculous.” – Time Out New York

“Slyly humorous…(Testud) is her own unequivocal miracle.
LOURDES is to Catholicism as A SERIOUS MAN is to Judaism!”
– Michael Tully, Hammer To Nail online

“An accomplished work which radiates intelligence…
Hausner certainly confirms herself here as an original voice.”
– Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International

“(A) brilliant and satisfyingly illusive Francophone thinkpiece… the subdued and slightly comic register of the performances and the gorgeous, deadpan shooting style (reminiscent of Kaurismäki) are the only tools Hausner gives us to decipher her tale, leaving you to decide whether modern religion is a sham or a saver of souls.”
– David Jenkins, Time Out (London)

Sylvie Testud, star of LOURDES, may be the greatest French actress of her generation. Like Isabelle Huppert, she effortlessly slips into whatever role she assumes. Unlike Catherine Deneuve, she does not dazzle us with glamorous perfection, but radiates a charisma that is born of flaws that are all too real. As Christine, she is a young woman confined to a wheelchair, visiting the city of Lourdes in hope of a miraculous recovery — along with thousands of others. Yet the movie’s real subject is not religious belief, but human frailty. LOURDES asks us to consider how we would live life severely disabled. And if the hoped-for miracle befell someone else? If romance and the chance for happiness fell from the sky? The film considers everyone's responsibility, including: Christine's, her fellow pilgrims, the religious order in charge, and the pretty nurses who fancy themselves angels of mercy.

AUSTRIA / FRANCE / GERMANY • 2009 • 99 MINS • IN FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
A PALISADES TARTAN RELEASE

On sale at AMAZON:

MURDEROUS MAIDS
starring Sylvie Testud (star of Lourdes)