The arthouse streamer and distributor has also released a teaser trailer for the lesbian nun drama, among titles confirmed for Cannes Fest.
![Benedetta](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BLE_0916.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1)
The lineup for this year’s Cannes Film Fest hasn’t yet been officially unveiled, but one of the titles confirmed films has already been acquired by Mubi, Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta for the U.K. and Ireland.
The movie tells the story of a lesbian nun and tackling themes of sex, sexuality and religion.
The arthouse streaming platform and theatrical distributor plans to give the French-language film a legit release.
Benedetta, which was destined for Cannes last year before the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, is now set to have it world premiere in France on July 9, adding to a late-career revival for Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Turkish Delight, Total Recall, RoboCop, Starship Troopers, Showgirls), after the 2016’ Elle, which landed Isabelle Huppert Best Actress Oscar nomination.
The film stars Virginie Efira, a 17th century nun who suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions, and in the process begins a romantic love affair with another nun.
Inspired by the book “Immodest Acts,” written by historian Judith C Brown, the film also stars Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), Daphné Patakia (Nimic), Lambert Wilson (The Matrix Reloaded) and Olivier Rabourdin (Eastern Boys, Of Gods and Men).
The scrip was co-written by David Birke, who had previously partnered with Verhoeven on Elle.
Benedetta was produced by Said Ben Said at SBS Production, and Michel Merkt and Pathé, which is also handling international sales.
Benedetta adds to a slate of theatrical releases Mubi has lined up for the U.K. and Ireland, including Ben Sharrock’s Limbo, Michel Franco’s New Order, Ninja Thyberg’s Sundance hit Pleasure, Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman and First Cow from Kelly Reichardt, which Mubi holds all rights for internationally, excluding US and China.
See the teaser trailer for Benedetta below
Cast
Virginie Efira as Benedetta Carlini
Lambert Wilson as The Nuncio
Daphne Patakia as Bartolomea
Charlotte Rampling as The Abbess
Olivier Rabourdin
Clotilde Courau
Hervé Pierre as Paolo Ricordati
Louise Chevillotte
Nicolas Gaspar