“The Shunning” is a moving film that centers around a common question; who are we really? In this dramatic portrayal, Danielle Panabaker plays an Amish girl named Katie Lapp who is betrothed to the town’s Bishop. Although she should be pleased to be marrying a kind and gentle man of his stature, she continues to remember her first love, a boy who died 3 years earlier. Adding to her internal conflict is her love of “English” music which is banned in her community. When she finds out that she was adopted as a baby, she rebels against her upbringing and the town’s elders decide that the proper thing to do is to “shun” her until she comes back to the ways she was taught.
The film portrays the Amish lifestyle and belief system reverently and with respect. But, it also shows how hard life can be if you do not conform to their rigid ways. In the end, a wise woman gives Katie some good advise: “The miracle ain’t the life you missed, its the life you got.” We are pleased to award this film our Dove Family-Approved Seal for all ages.
