Innocence

In a remote, all-girls boarding school, young women undergo a strange and disturbing ritualistic training. They learn to control their bodies and desires under the watchful eyes of their instructors. As new student Iris begins to question the nature of her education and the sinister secrets of the institution, she uncovers a terrifying truth about the girls and their connection to the outside world.

Innocence received critical acclaim for its atmospheric direction, unsettling themes, and strong performances, particularly from Adèle Haenel. Critics praised its unique blend of fairy tale aesthetics and psychological horror, though some found its deliberate pacing and ambiguous narrative challenging.

• Praised for its stunning, dreamlike visuals and H.R. Giger-esque production design.
• Hadzihalilovic masterfully builds a pervasive sense of dread and unease.
• Adèle Haenel delivers a compelling performance as a student questioning her reality.

Google audience: Audiences were captivated by the film's unique artistic vision and its ability to create a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. Many appreciated the film's exploration of dark themes and its departure from conventional horror tropes, though some found the plot less engaging than the visuals.

Screened in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Won the Best Film award at the 2014 Fantasporto Film Festival.

Director Lucile Hadzihalilovic drew inspiration from various sources, including fairy tales and Surrealist art, aiming to create a visually rich and thematically complex experience.