In Your Hands

Colour, 35 mm
Denmark, 2003, 101 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

After graduating in theology, Anna decides to accept her first pastoral assignment at a women´s prison. Lacking experience and by nature insecure, she finds herself in an encapsulated microcosm, the flipside of the outwardly satisfied and carefree society she knows. Armed with only optimism, often naeve, she endeavours to gain the trust of "fallen women" who gradually reveal to her their guilt and their lives. Kate, a reticent, charismatic, and somewhat mysterious inmate, becomes the focus of attention, attracting those around her and influencing their lives. Rumours filter throughout the prison that she is possessed of supernatural powers and can perform miracles. Unwittingly, she violates the jailhouse hierarchy - the weak seek from her help and support, while the powerful fear her natural authority. Anna too tries to get beneath the mysterious prisoner´s uncommunicative shell, and gradually she finds out the horrifying secret Kate is keeping from the surrounding world.

About the director

Annette K. Olesen (b. 1965, Copenhagen) graduated in direction from the National Film School of Denmark in 1991. Her graduation film, 10:32 AM Tuesday - A Love Story, won a number of awards at international festivals. She has made several commercials, shorts, and documentaries, and is currently lecturing at the National Film School´s editing department. Her feature debut, Minor Mishaps, was screened in the competition at the 2002 Berlin IFF and was awarded the Blue Angel Prize for Best European Film. Filmography: 10:32 AM Tuesday – A Love Story (10:32 Tirsdag – en kaerlinghedshistorie 1991), Interview (1992), Har du ild? (1992), Julies balkon (1992), Tifanfaya (1997), Y (1998), Selsving (2000), Minor Mishaps (Sma ulykker, 2001), In Your Hands (Forbrydelser, 2004).