Watch Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception is a 1992 drama film directed by Jamil Dehlavi, starring James Wilby, Melissa Leo, and Shabana Azmi. Set in Pakistan, the movie explores themes of faith, love, and intolerance through the story of a young British woman who becomes pregnant after a one-night stand. The movie opens with Anna (Melissa Leo), a lapsed Catholic, arriving in Pakistan to work as a nurse in a missionary hospital. She meets Dr. Masud (Shabana Azmi), a Muslim doctor, who becomes her friend and confidante. Anna is fascinated by the local culture and religion but falls foul of the conservative attitudes of some of the other mission workers, who disapprove of her behavior and dress.

One night, after drinking too much alcohol, Anna has sex with Paul (James Wilby), a young Englishman who works as a journalist in Pakistan. She wakes up the next morning with a sense of regret but thinks little of it until she discovers that she is pregnant.

Anna is shocked and unsure what to do. She confides in Dr. Masud, who advises her to have an abortion. Anna is torn between her religious beliefs and her desire for independence and control over her own body. Meanwhile, Paul has left Pakistan and is unaware of Anna's pregnancy.

As Anna struggles with her decision, she becomes the target of hostility from some of the more fundamentalist members of the mission. They accuse her of immorality and blasphemy and demand that she repent and leave the hospital. Anna's situation is complicated by the fact that she is constantly being watched and monitored by the locals, who disapprove of her behavior as a single woman.

The movie explores themes of faith and tolerance, as the characters grapple with their own beliefs and prejudices. Dr. Masud is a liberal Muslim who respects Anna's autonomy and values her contribution to the hospital. However, she is also caught between her own values and the expectations of her community. Similarly, Anna is forced to confront her own prejudices and assumptions about Islam and Pakistani culture.

As Anna's pregnancy develops, she becomes increasingly isolated and vulnerable. She is harassed and threatened by the conservative mission workers, who try to force her to leave the hospital. At the same time, she begins to feel a bond with the unborn child, who represents a connection to the country and people she has grown to love.

The movie builds towards a powerful and moving conclusion, as Anna comes to a decision about the fate of her unborn child. The final scenes of the movie are both heartbreaking and uplifting, as Anna finds a measure of peace and acceptance in the midst of hardship and persecution.

Immaculate Conception is a beautifully crafted movie that sensitively explores difficult themes with honesty and compassion. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Melissa Leo delivering a standout turn as the conflicted and vulnerable Anna. Shabana Azmi is also outstanding as the wise and compassionate doctor, while James Wilby brings depth and complexity to the role of Paul.

Overall, Immaculate Conception is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that deserves to be better known. Its themes of faith, love, and intolerance are as relevant today as they were when the movie was first released, and its message of compassion and understanding is one that resonates deeply in our troubled times.