Sworn Virgin (2015)
A quietly devastating Italian drama about identity, freedom, and the cost of belonging — set between the Albanian highlands and modern Milan.
Sworn Virgin - Movie Information
- Original Title: Vergine giurata
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Laura Bispuri
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Albanian, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 19, 2015 (Italy), June 23, 2016 (Germany), September 30, 2015 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Vierge sous serment (FR), Sworn Virgin (GR), Virgin (US)
- Production Companies: Vivo Film, Colorado Film, Bord Cadre Films, The Match Factory, Erafilm, RAI Cinema, Istituto Luce Cinecittà
- Production Countries: Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Albania
Sworn Virgin - Plot
Years after declaring her eternal virginity and opting to live life as a man in the mountains of Albania, Hana looks to return to living as a woman as she settles into a new existence in modern-day Milan.
Sworn Virgin - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Hana's remarkable journey unfold on screen.
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Sworn Virgin - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Laura Bispuri
Main Cast
- Alba Rohrwacher
- Emily Ferratello
- Lars Eidinger
- Flonja Kodheli
- Luan Jaha
- Bruno Shllaku
- Ilire Vinca Çelaj
- Drenica Selimaj
- Dajana Selimaj
Writers
- Laura Bispuri
- Francesca Manieri
Producers
- Marta Donzelli
- Gregorio Paonessa
- Maurizio Totti
- Alessandro Usai
- Dan Wechsler
Sworn Virgin - FAQs
What is the 'sworn virgin' tradition shown in the film?
The 'sworn virgin' or 'burrnesha' is a centuries-old Albanian custom in which a woman takes a vow of lifelong celibacy and adopts a male identity, gaining the social rights and freedoms otherwise reserved for men in traditional patriarchal mountain communities.
Is Sworn Virgin based on a true story?
Sworn Virgin is not based on one specific true story, but it draws on the real Albanian tradition of the 'burrnesha,' documented by ethnographers and journalists. Director Laura Bispuri and co-writer Francesca Manieri researched this living custom to craft a fictional yet culturally grounded narrative.
Who plays the lead role in Sworn Virgin?
Alba Rohrwacher plays Hana, also known as Mark, the film's central character. Her nuanced, physically committed performance anchors the story, portraying both the hardened mountain identity Hana has inhabited for years and the fragile femininity she cautiously begins to reclaim in Milan.
What is Sworn Virgin about?
Sworn Virgin follows Hana, an Albanian woman who took an ancient oath of virginity to live as a man in the highlands. Years later, she travels to Milan to live with her foster sister Lila, slowly and painfully rediscovering her identity as a woman in a contemporary urban world.
Where can I stream or watch Sworn Virgin?
Sworn Virgin is available to watch on Tubi TV with ads and on Kanopy for free. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It is also accessible via the Strand Releasing Amazon Channel as a flatrate subscription.
Who directed Sworn Virgin and what languages is it in?
Sworn Virgin was directed by Laura Bispuri, making her feature directorial debut. The film is spoken primarily in Albanian and Italian, reflecting its dual setting across the rugged Albanian highlands and contemporary Milan, and was co-written by Bispuri alongside Francesca Manieri.
When was Sworn Virgin released and how long is it?
Sworn Virgin had its world premiere on March 19, 2015, in Italy, with subsequent releases in France on September 30, 2015, and Germany on June 23, 2016. The film runs for 87 minutes and was directed by Laura Bispuri.
What are similar films to Sworn Virgin?
Viewers who appreciated Sworn Virgin may also enjoy XXY (2007), A Single Man (2009), and The Solitude of Prime Numbers (2010), all of which explore identity, gender, and emotional isolation with comparable sensitivity. Engel & Joe (2001) and Gypo (2005) offer similarly intimate character-driven drama.
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