Sworn Virgin (Italian: Vergine giurata, Albanian: Burrnesha) is a 2015 internationally co-produced drama film directed by Laura Bispuri.
Following his uncle's guide, she appeals to the old law of the Kanun, which gives women, taking an oath of eternal virginity, the chance to embrace a rifle and live free as men.
Daniel Montignani on Paper Street writes that "Laura Bispuri [...] prepares and outlines for Hana a slow, upward journey, shaping it with tireless and refined subtraction, even when she looks directly into the discomfort in the eyes and in the weakest and most suffering expressions of the protagonist."
Davide Turrini from Il Fatto Quotidiano and Aldo Spiniello on Sentieri Selvaggi recognize in this debut work the influence of the Dardenne brothers, especially in the "autonomous and stubborn direction with a handheld camera obstinately following behind the protagonist's shoulders" that "captures the fears, uncertainties, hopes, and emotions, focusing solely on movements, gestures, and external attitudes" of "a tough Alba Rohrwacher".
Guy Lodge in Variety writes: "A sensitive, deliberate debut feature," praising Alba Rohrwacher's performance, "who supports the duality of the character, portraying Hana-Mark with great skill.
"[7] Jessica Kiang on IndieWire writes: "In her impressive debut feature, writer/director Bispuri uses this unusual, specific tradition to investigate much broader issues of gender identity, self-image and cultural indoctrination, while also delivering a touching personal portrait of tentative liberation.