Holy Mother

Set in the 9th century, this drama follows Emma, a seventeen-year-old girl appointed as an abbess. Her mission is to oversee the Christianization and repopulation of border regions currently in conflict with the Moors. Upon reaching the abbey, Emma faces deep skepticism and resistance. Her determination to carry out her duties brings her into direct conflict with various social groups, including peasants, nobility, and her own fellow nuns. Through these struggles, she attempts to challenge traditional power systems, though her efforts come at a significant personal cost.

The film was written and directed by Antonio Chavarrías, marking the second feature in his career following Childish Games. A joint production between Spain and Belgium, the movie features Daniela Brown in the lead role of Emma, supported by a cast that includes Blanca Romero, Carlos Cuevas, Ernest Villegas, Oriol Genís, and Joaquín Notario. The production involved several companies, including Wanda Visión, Oberon Media, Saga Films, and Icono 2020 AIE. Released on March 22, 2024, the film has a total runtime of 122 minutes.