Epilepsy and God. But necessarily in that order. And people with the best of intentions making the life of someone they truly love a living hell.
What do you say to them that might get through? I sometimes imagine myself in these situations. Given how I understand myself – “I” out in the world – is this something that might help or hinder them? The epilepsy is beyond my control. But the part about God isn’t. But: Is it better instead to root such afflictions in an essentially absurd and meaningless world?
As with Father Ralph de Bricassart and Meggie, Mom loves her daughter…but she loves God more. Or, perhaps, in this case, fears God more…or more than she can ever love a mere mortal.
And then there is also the question of her mental health. The voices and the hallucinations. And the part that God might play here [through the church] in making it worse.
You wonder: Was there ever the possibility of a happy ending here?
Years ago I used to get these terrible attacks of vertigo. Out of the blue [and virtually without warning] the whole world would spin violently about me. Impossible to describe. I never knew when or where they would happen. So I know something of the world she lived in. Fortunately, they stopped as myteriously as they began. But you are never entirely convinced they’re gone forever. On the other hand, I am reasonably sure it wasn’t the Devil.
IMDb
Based on the true story of Anneliese Michel, a 23-year-old student, who died of starvation after an exorcism in Miltenberg, Germany (1976).
at wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_(2006_film
faqs IMDb: imdb.com/title/tt0454931/faq … q_2#.2.1.2
trailer: youtu.be/uPhen80uVVI
REQUIEM [2006]
Directed by Hans-Christian Schmid
[b]Michaela: I haven’t had anything in 6 months.
Marianne [mother reacting to the news that Michaela has been accepted into the university]: What did the doctor say?
Karl [father]: Marianne, that’s enough.
Marianne: What did he say?
Michaela: He said it can happen again any time.
…
Teacher [to Michaela]: Do you believe in the role model function of pedagogy?
Michaela: I don’t know.
Teacher: What do you believe in?
Michaela: In God.
[the class laughs]
Teacher: And you all find that amusing? Well, what do you believe in?
[nothing from the students.]
Teacher: You see? And that is exactly the problem.
…
Hanna [to Michaela]: Where were you? You were there until the 11th grade, then you disappeared.
…
Michaela [to Hanna]: Know how many doctors I’ve had? And in the end they have no idea. Diagnosis by exclusion. They try something to see if it works. Then you get new pills. Always new ones. Then new side effects and pills against them too.
…
Father Borchert: Some use God as a kind of insurance company for bad times. The harvest should be good and business booming.
Michaela: Yes, that’s how people are.
Father Borchert: I wonder whether God’s existence is proven by a good harvest? Or by someone being sick? There’s a difference between suffering, spiritual need and superstition.
…
Michaela: Let me go! Christ, help me! I’m not allowed to pray anymore!
…
Michaela: Maybe God has abandoned me. He doesn’t give a shit.
Father Borchert: He died for us on the cross. No one is excluded from His sacrifice. Not you, either. But we live in times where evil is very strong…always trying to get the upper hand.
Michaela: So why me? Why with me? I go to university. I try to do right. And God sends me demons.
Father Borchert: Because you are special. Your sensitivity to this godless work is strong.
…
Michaela: Prayer doesn’t help. The demons come when I want to pray. Why won’t God let me be happy? Am I being punished?
Father Borchert: God doesn’t punish. He tests those He loves the most.
She’s not buying it. It must be the Devil himself that is inside her. Let’s do an exorcism. In time though, even Michaela figures that’s what it probably is: the Devil. Get him the hell out.
[b]Michaela [to Stephan]: I can’t touch the cross anymore, see?
…
Hanna: It’s all about your madness here. How much longer will you go on?
Michaela: Until they’re driven out.
Hanna: Stop it! “They” will never be driven out because there’s nothing there, only youself. It’s only you. If’s it’s you they’re driving out where will it end?
Michaela: There 's a reason for it all. I’m suffering for the greater good, for a higher purpose. Like St. Catharine, you know?
Hanna: What kind of reason is that? Michaela, listen to yourself, that’s not you!
Michaela: You can’t choose what God has in store for you. I must follow my path.
…
Title card: Following a series of several dozen exorcisms Michaels Klinger dies of exhaustion in her parents’ house.[/b]