Plot
17th-century Tuscany, Italy. As the sinister threat of the Plague looms over Europe, the sincerely devout eight-year-old novice, Benedetta Carlini, is brought into the Theatine Convent of the Mother of God in Pescia as a bride for Jesus Christ. Eighteen long years later, as ominous whispers of disputable miracles scandalise the cloistered sisters, a test of faith awaits deeply pious Benedetta in the shape of bruised, abused, and earthly Bartolomea: a young woman fleeing her violent father. Now, while under the vigilant eye of cynical Abbess Felicita, fleeting glimpses of the forbidden fruit invite a tentative intimacy, ungovernable desires, and intense diabolical obsessions in, and suddenly, the holy signs of faith are manifest in Sister Benedetta's body. But, few can wrestle with guilt and emerge unscathed. Is there an escape from sin when the flesh is the enemy?
Written by
David Birke, Paul Verhoeven, Judith C. Brown
Directed by
Paul Verhoeven
Crew
Production Countries
Belgium, France, Netherlands
Production Companies
Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Palatine Etoile 16, Netherland Filmfund, Indéfilms 7, France Télévisions, Cofinova 15, Cinémage 13, CNC, Cofimage 30, France 3 Cinéma, Belga Productions, Topkapi Films, Pathé, Canal+, SBS Productions, Belga Films Fund, France 2 Cinéma, Ciné+
Languages
Latin, Français
Awards
3 wins & 21 nominations total