IFC Films will be giving director Paul Verhoeven’s religious thriller Benedetta a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 3rd, and one month out from that date we’ve gotten our hands on the film’s U.S. trailer, which you can see in the embed above, and a new poster, which can be found below. IFC Films are also planning to release Benedetta on VOD a few weeks later, on December 21st.
Scripted by Verhoeven and David Birke, the film is based on Judith C. Brown’s non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy. The combination of that title and the name Verhoeven probably tells a lot of people all they need to know about this movie, but here’s the synopsis:
In the late 15th century, with plague ravaging the land, Benedetta Carlini joins the convent in Pescia, Tuscany, as a novice. Capable from an early age of performing miracles, Benedetta’s impact on life in the community is immediate and momentous. Benedetta takes in a young woman to her convent, and the two begin a passionate affair.
Virginie Efira (Bye Bye Morons) stars as the titular Benedetta, while Daphne Patakia (Versailles) plays Bartolomea, the woman she has an affair with. Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), Lambert Wilson (The Matrix Reloaded), Olivier Rabourdin (Taken), and Louise Chevillotte (The World After Us) are also in the cast.
Benedetta was produced by Said Ben Said, Michel Merkt, and Jerome Seydoux.
Verhoeven’s previous credits include Flesh+Blood, RoboCop, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Showgirls, Starship Troopers, Hollow Man, Black Book, and Elle. As you can see from that line-up, he’s a very versatile filmmaker. IFC Films describes him as a “madman genius”.
Are you looking forward to Benedetta? Let us know whether or not you’re planning to see this one by leaving a comment below.