Movie No. 62 (2018): THE DIVINE ORDER

The Divine Order (aka Die Gottliche Ordnung) (2017)
Director: Petra Biondina Volpe
Cast: Marie Leuenberger, Marta Zoffoli, Rachel Braunshweig, Max Simonischek
In German, with English subtitles

Fighting for the women's right to vote is not a light topic in a movie. What makes the topic more sensitive is when it pertains to (some) Swiss women's protest for their non-inclusion in decision making that also affect them. Some women though are content to be submissive to the so-called Divine Order that is written in the Bible that women should be content to stay at home. History says that Swiss women's right to vote were only ratified in 1971. So, we know how this movie ends.

The topic is not light. The movie, however, takes the middle - between light and heavy. In fact, there are a couple of important scenes that suggest the movie is also a comedy. So, a drama/comedy it is. A feminist it is. I'm not sure if the movie is based on actual events. However, the social and political events at the backdrop may have been inspired by real events leading to that historic event in 1971. The movie is charming - thanks to the colorful characters and their respective back stories. Some hints of (necessary) melodrama in the final one-third or one-fourth of the movie do not lessen its impact. The costume design and cinematography create a synergistic texture that to give the atmosphere of the period.

The Divine Order is warm, cheerful, and easy to like.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: September 15, 2018