As we learn that Russia has finally canceled the film’s release, “Benedetta” caused a stir in New York where Catholic demonstrators held up signs to contest the screening of the film at a Festival.
Benedetta does not stop talking! After its screening in competition at the Cannes Film Festival last July, the film directed by Paul Verhoeven based on the true story of a lesbian nun sparked a protest in New York.
The screening of the film as part of the New York Film Festival was indeed greeted by a handful of Catholic demonstrators, armed with protest signs.
The latter aim to disconcert what the demonstrators consider to be blasphemy, as can be seen in a photo taken by the Festival and a journalist present on site:
At the same time, US distributor IFC unveiled a trailer for the film, to be discovered below:
Remember that the film has just been banned in Russia, as we relayed last week. The Russian Culture Ministry has in fact withdrawn Benedetta’s operating visa. The reason was not specified. “But there is every reason to believe that the Orthodox Church lobbied because of scenes deemed pornographic and offensive to believers“, says Courrier International.
The story of Benedetta takes place in the 17th century, when the plague spreads in Italy. Benedetta Carlini joins the Convent of Pescia in Tuscany. From an early age, Benedetta is able to work miracles and her presence in her new community will change many things in the lives of the sisters …
