Maltese director Valerie Buhagiar draws upon one of her homeland's
idiosyncrasies for her latest drama, Carmen. In Malta, if a woman's older brother becomes a priest she is obliged to
devote her life to serving the church and looking after him.
Carmen stars Natasha McElhone as a 50-year-old woman
who finds herself freed from such a scenario when her priest brother passes
away. Michaela Farrugia and Steven Love also star.
Carmen is in US cinemas and on VOD from September 23rd. A
UK/ROI release has yet to be announced.
Check out the trailer and poster below.
The official synopsis reads:
In a small Mediterranean village, Carmen has looked after her brother, the local priest, for her entire life. When the Church abandons Carmen, she is mistaken for the new priest. Carmen begins to see the world, and herself, in a new light.
In Malta, it is tradition for the younger sister to devote her life to the church when an older brother enters the priesthood. Inspired by true events, Carmen lives a life of servitude from the age of 16 until 50, when her brother dies. Realizing her own mortality, she leaves the church and makes up for lost time.
