Paul Verhoeven is a filmmaker that has never shied away from provoking his audience. Whether it’s with his classic films like “RoboCop,” “Basic Instinct,” or even “Showgirls,” up to his more recent fare like “Elle,” Verhoeven is a director that loves to push buttons and watch audiences writhe uncomfortably in their seats. So, what better way to do that with his next film, “Benedetta,” than to base it on the real-life story of lesbian nuns?
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As seen in the teaser for “Benedetta,” Verhoeven’s latest film tells the true story of lesbian nuns that come under fire in Renaissance Italy. And just like what you’d expect from the filmmaker, this isn’t a film that plays subtly. No, not at all. The cast of the film includes Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Lambert Wilson, Daphne Patakia, Olivier Rabourdin, and Herve Pierre. And as mentioned, “Benedetta” is directed by Paul Verhoeven, based on a script he co-wrote with David Birke.
In our review of the film from Cannes, we said, “‘Benedetta’ is a hoot, but, unlike the virgin dildo, and unlike Verhoeven’s last brilliant provocation ‘Elle,’ it isn’t particularly penetrating. Perhaps that’s hardly surprising given that the primary source on which it is based — a 17th-century court clerk’s account of the Catholic church’s only known lesbian trial — is apparently less about Big Ideas than the shaky, frequently erased and overwritten transcription of its more irresistibly salacious details.”
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“Benedetta” is set to hit theaters and VOD on December 3. You can watch the teaser trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair. Based on Judith C. Brown’s Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy.