Paul Verhoeven, 83-year-old old master of the upscale sex film (“Basic Instinct”), mixed up the Cannes Film Festival this year with his film “Benedetta”. In it he tells how a girl is put in a monastery and there matures into a beautiful young woman who is little concerned with chastity. The film is based on the life story of the Italian nun Benedetta Carlini (1590–1661), who was accused of her visions and convicted of an alleged sexual relationship with a fellow sister and who died in prison after 35 years in prison.
In the cinematic implementation, the director lets his imagination run wild. The Belgian Virginie efira as the bride of Christ must often show how God created her, lesbian love is shown in detail. But the explicity of the images is just as calculated as the excitement generated: Paul Verhoeven has once again sparked heated discussions.
“Benedetta”: F/B/NL 2021, 127 Minutes, Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Source: Nachrichten
