Lourdes is a 2009 French-Austrian drama film directed by Jessica Hausner. The story follows a wheelchair-bound woman named Christine who makes a pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes in the hopes of finding a cure for her multiple sclerosis. Alongside other pilgrims, she takes part in a series of religious rituals and experiences unexplained miracles. As Christine becomes increasingly intertwined with the other travelers, tensions arise and jealousy surfaces over who will be granted the ultimate healing.
Throughout the film, the director explores the themes of faith, hope, and the search for meaning in life. The characters grapple with the inherent limitations of their bodies and the uneasy relationship between the mind and spirituality. Hausner employs a measured, observational approach, allowing the viewer to closely observe the rituals and interactions between the characters.
Lourdes premiered at the 2009 Venice Film Festival where it won the FIPRESCI Prize. The film was praised for its nuanced exploration of spirituality and the sensitive performances of its cast, particularly Sylvie Testud as Christine. Lourdes went on to receive critical acclaim and was selected as the Austrian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards.