'Mother', an anomalous portrait of Mother Teresa opens the Horizons section

Teona Strugar Mitevska is no stranger to making controversial products centred on the theme of religion: the aforementioned 'God is a woman and her name is Petrunya', for example, tells of a particular religious ceremony, which ends with the boys throwing a cross into the water and having to retrieve it. Only boys are allowed to participate, but the protagonist throws herself into the river and catches it first, creating a real media scandal.

'I present this Mother almost as the CEO of a multinational company, tireless and ambitious': these words of the Macedonian director are enough to understand how her vision is far removed from what we expect.

Among the issues the film deals with is that of abortion, and the particularly controversial position held by Mother Teresa on the issue is undoubtedly a topic that surfaces during the viewing.

Mitevska combines these insights with the portrayal of a woman with a strong character, but who also displays numerous typically human frailties. 'Mother' has brave flashes, but perhaps the overall vision could have been even more shocking and unsettling.

The camera is constantly attached to the character's face and body, in some cases offering a strong dose of realism and emotional participation, in others in an excessively gratuitous and forced manner.

One can feel a certain cunningness in the overall portrayal, but it is still an interesting product and one to watch, thanks also to the excellent performance of the lead actress Noomi Rapace, a Swedish actress whom we met in the role of Lisbeth Salander in 'Men Who Hate Women'.

It should be noted, in conclusion, that the film will be released in our cinemas in mid-October with the title 'Teresa - The Mother of the Last'.