Movie Quiz: In which movies do these nuns appear?

As you know, cinema is full of sub-genres that are both exciting and unusual. This month, the streaming platform MUBI We offer a selection of nun films. Nun movies? Yes, and they have a name: nunsploitation in English or nonnesploitation in French.

What is monasticism?

It is a subgenre of exploitation cinema – films made quickly with a small budget and the idea of ​​a quick profit – which had its heyday in Europe in the 1970s. These films mostly feature Christian nuns who lived in monasteries during the Middle Ages.

The main conflict in the story is often religious or sexual in nature, such as religious oppression or the taboo surrounding sexuality caused by the obligation of chastity and celibacy. The Inquisition is another common theme. These films, although categorized as pure exploitation films, and therefore often considered minor, often contain criticism against religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular.

Indeed, certain dialogues held by the protagonists of these films allowed the expression of a feminist conscience and the rejection of the social role of women in general and of nuns in particular, only by being subordinate. Many of these films were made in countries where the Catholic Church is influential, such as Italy and Spain.

Along with Nazi exploitation, nundom is a subgenre that ran alongside films about women in prison in the 1970s and 1980s. A fortress where the all-female population (de)turns to lesbianism and debauchery. An element of religious guilt leads to death scenes such as self-inflicted wounds and other painful and masochistic rituals.

Mother Superior is usually equipped with a martinet. He is cruel, corrupt, and guardian-like, enforcing strict discipline (translation: no more whipping and punishment scenes that are too painful) and often craves his female sidekicks. An equally sadistic and lustful priest is often included to add an element of male danger to the story.

Recently, Paul Verhoeven can be considered to have revived the genre with Benedetta, turning his heroine into a scandalous nun in every way.

Discover a selection of movies from MUBI’s Nusploitation: