Festivals - Sundance Film Festival 2021 : Violation will have its world premiere

By Mulder, 07 january 2021

“The idea of revenge against those who have wronged us is a tantalizing one; to rid ourselves of the pain and trauma caused by another person. But what if the person who hurts you is not some stranger in a dark alleyway, but someone close to you? It turns out that this is usually the case for victims of sexual violence, but no one is really talking about this in films about revenge. Maybe because it’s ickier, or darker, more uncomfortable. But these are the ideas that really excite us as filmmakers — to lift up the rock and examine the things that fester underneath.” - Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli

Unhappily married Miriam and Caleb join Miriam’s somewhat-estranged sister Greta and husband Dylan at a lakeside cabin for a weekend of relaxation and reconciliation. Feeling spurned in attempts to connect with both Greta and Caleb, Miriam increasingly retreats to the easy comfort of her friendship with the affable Dylan. After a transgressive act of sexual violence, the film’s narrative vividly fractures, disorienting audiences while inextricably tying their experience to Miriam’s as she embarks on a vicious crusade of revenge.

Beginning as an intimate, intense domestic drama, Violation explodes into a relentless illustration of the driving force and destructive power of even the most righteous of rage. Madeleine Sims-Fewer not only co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced Violation with Dusty Mancinelli but also delivers a committed, full-bodied performance as Miriam, a woman unalterably changed by her violation. With their brutal, perceptive film, Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli challenge us not to avert our eyes from the damage done.

Contains graphic sexual content, sexual violence, and extreme violence/gore. Not suitable for audiences under 18.

Synopsis :
With her marriage about to implode, Miriam returns to her hometown to seek solace in the comfort of her younger sister and brother-in-law. But one evening a tiny slip in judgement leads to a catastrophic betrayal, leaving Miriam shocked, reeling, and furious. Believing her sister to be in danger, Miriam decides she must protect her at all costs, but the price of revenge is high and she is not prepared for the toll it takes as she begins to emotionally and psychologically unravel.

Violation (Canada)
Written and directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli
Produced by Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli
Executive Producers : Deepa Mehta, David Hamilton, François Dagenais, Matthew Nayman, David James
Starring Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Anna Maguire, Jesse LaVercombe, Obi Abili, Jasmin Geljo, Cynthia Ashperger
Music by Andrea Boccadoro
Cinematography : Adam Crosby
Edited by Gabriella Wallace
Production Designer : Joshua Turpin
SFX Makeup : Tenille Shockey
Sound Design/Mix : Matt Chan
Sound Recordist : James Lazarenko
Distributed by DM FILMS (http://www.dmfilms.com)
Release date : February 1, 2021 (Sundance)
Running time : 107 minutes

Premiere : feb. 1 - 6:00am // Second screening : feb. 2 - 4:00pm (local time)

(Source : press release)