She left God for cholera, then found something worse: herself.
Catania, Sicilia 1854. A serious epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Maria a 16 years old novice leaves her convent and returns her home to avoid contamination. Here she finds a difficult situation, in fact her stepmother and her half-sisters prevent Maria to live the normal life of a teenager. In their minds Maria is the promised "bride of God" and a regular life for her is inappropriate. Nino, her handsome neighbor, falls in love for Maria who isn't indifferent to him. But when Maria comes back to her convent the way to become nun is compelled. Now Maria can understand Sister Agata, and realizes she became mad cause a lost and impossible love like the one between Maria and Nino.
Cinematography
Golden Sicilian light vs. convent shadows.
Acting
Vanessa Redgrave's unhinged nun, absolutely devastating.
Costume
Novice whites vs. plague-era rags, symbolic af.
Director
Franco Zeffirelli
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Zeffirelli, openly gay and Catholic, made this his most personal film about forbidden love and institutional sacrifice.
Valentina Cortese (Madre Superiora) was Fellini's muse in '8½'; this was her comeback after a decade away.
IT
