Ready to Give You Chills, the Film 'HER WILL BE DONE' Enlivens BIFF 2025

Kapanlagi.com - The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2025 once again serves as a prestigious platform for filmmakers around the world to introduce their best works. One of them is the latest occult horror film by director Julia Kowalski, HER WILL BE DONE, which is set to provide a thrilling yet reflective experience for international audiences.

This film presents the story of Nawojka, a young Polish woman living amidst the harsh realities of her family's farm. Every morning she prays for her life to change, but her prayers are never answered. Past traumas continue to haunt her; her mother tragically died due to demonic possession, leaving Nawojka in fear that she might suffer a similar fate.

Nawojka's life begins to shift when she meets Sandra, a rebellious girl who brings freedom and curiosity that she has long suppressed. Their closeness brings moments of hope, but alongside that, terror also creeps in. Cows on the farm die one by one, strange noises emerge at night, and the surrounding environment seems to be filled with uncontrollable supernatural forces.

1. Storing a Deeper Meaning

Not just a story of possession or supernatural horror, HER WILL BE DONE presents a deeper layer of meaning. This film explores issues of faith, body, and the liberation of women from the shackles of tradition and the social structures that constrain them. With a feminist approach, Julia Kowalski uses the motif of body ownership as a metaphor for women's experiences facing cultural and religious pressures.

Film Her Will Be Done (cr: Grande Ourse Films/Venin Films/Orka Films)

Cinematically, this film is captivating with a poetic and atmospheric visual style. The dark narrative combined with the social realism typical of rural areas, along with the brutal depiction of nature, seems to take on a character of its own. Critics say this work not only evokes fear but also creates a contemplative space about the position of women in a patriarchal society.

2. Inspired By Childhood Experiences

A lineup of actors strengthens the story with intense performances. Maria Wrobel shines as Nawojka, a fragile figure full of resistance. Roxane Mesquida appears as Sandra, a character that brings a rebellious energy while shaking Nawojka's beliefs. Names like Wojciech Skibinski and Kuba Dyniewicz also join as supporting characters, deepening the family conflict and identity.

Film Her Will Be Done (cr: Grande Ourse Films/Venin Films/Orka Films)

Director Julia Kowalski is not a new name in the European film scene. Born in France to Polish immigrant parents, she draws on her childhood experiences as inspiration for this film. Themes of immigration, tradition, the working class, and cultural differences serve as the common thread in her works. Her feature debut, RAGING ROSE (2015), was selected for the ACID section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Through HER WILL BE DONE, Kowalski further emphasizes her cinematic style, blending rural realism with elements of occultism and psychological horror.

Set to premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2025, this film is sure to send chills while also sparking curiosity. So, KLovers, are you brave enough to watch or will you keep your eyes closed throughout the story?

(kpl/btg)