NFB Collection
Poverty, Chastity, Obedience
200252 min 1 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Cornelia Principe
Production: Andrea Nemtin (PCO Films Inc.)Silva Basmajian (National Film Board of Canada)Cornelia Principe (PCO Films Inc.)
Produced by PCO Films Inc. in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada in association with TVOntario, with the assistance of SCN, KNET, Vision TV, the Government of Canada and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, Rogers Top Up Funding and Rogers Telefund.
Joanne O'Regan is at a crossroads. At 35, she's unhappy at work and unfulfilled by her day-to-day life. Far from prudish, Joanne socializes, smokes, drinks and isn't thrilled about the secondary role women play in the Catholic Church. Yet God has called her.
After discovering an affinity with the Sisters of St. Martha, whose vision encompasses service and community involvement, she accepts - but not without reservations. Before taking the ultimate leap of faith, Joanne is forced to confront her demons, her motivation, and her family and friends.
Joanne's personal struggle is juxtaposed with the crisis confronting the convent today. Once considered a traditional calling for young women, life as a nun is now a radical choice, as revealed by dwindling recruits. Sister Susan Kidd of Toronto's Congregation of Notre Dame confesses that despite a costly two-month national advertising campaign, they didn't net a single response.
In a penetrating montage of direct cinema, historical imagery and video diary, Poverty, Chastity, Obedience dives into the psyche of modern society and asks whether we need money to feel successful, sex to express love, and control to feel empowered.
Availability
Subject categories
- Religion, Beliefs and Ethics > Catholic ChurchPortraits
- Social Issues > Religion and Ethics
- Women > Religion and SpiritualitySexuality and Reproduction
Credits
- director
- Cornelia Principe
- producer
- Andrea Nemtin
- Silva Basmajian
- commissioning editor
- Rudy Buttignol
- co-producer
- Cornelia Principe
- editor
- Steve Weslak
- director of photography
- Zoe Dirse
- original music
- Cathy Nosaty
- sound recording
- Justine Pimlott
- associate editor
- Anna Pafomow
- Michael Bonini
- additional camera
- Michael Grippo
- Peter Walker
- Dean Brousseau
- Naomi Wise
- Cornelia Principe
- additional sound recording
- Peter Sawade
- Arthur McKay
- David Drainie Taylor
- Adrian Tucker
- Alex Salter
- Pete Lawlor
- Stuart French
- production bookeeper
- Martha Mason
- production assistant
- Katie McKenna
- Bryn Hughes
- Cicely McWilliams
- research
- Cornelia Principe
- Concetta Principe
- Danyelle Lauren Boiley
- assistant editor
- Timothy Pocius
- Colin Mackie
- sound editor
- Grant Edmonds
- sound mix
- Scott Purdy
- online editor
- Timothy Pocius
- still photography
- Vince Peitropaulo
- transcription
- Erin McMurty
Awards
- Honorable Mention - Category: Social Issues International Film and Video Festival