The Nun of Monza

13 novembre > SALA 1 ore 17

Italy, France – 1962 – 35mm – b/n – 100’

CREDITS

Direction: Carmine Gallone

Screenplay: Lucia Drudi Demby, Carmine Gallone, Giuseppe Mangione

Cinematography: Tonino Delli Colli

Editing: Niccolò Lazzari

Set design: Franco Lolli

Music: Giovanni Fusco

Cast: Giovanna Ralli, Gabriele Ferzetti, Lilla Brignone, Elisa Cegani, Gino Cervi, Mario Feliciani, Hélène Chanel

Producers: Carmine Gallone, Henry Lombroso

Production: Globe International Film, Produzioni Gallone, Paris Elysees Film

SYNOPSIS

Monza, 17th century. Young Virginia, daughter of a feudal lord, is forced by him to take her vows as the family inheritance belongs to the eldest son. Though opposed to it, once she enters the convent Virginia becomes an irreproachable nun, strict with herself and her subordinates, so much that she obtains important appointments thanks to her good conduct. But after catching a novice kissing Gian Paolo, the owner of the land near the monastery, Virginia begins to feel attraction to that man, and so unstoppable and troubled passion arises between them. Their bond leads to a series of murders attracting the attention of Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who decides to undertake an investigation.

CRITICAL NOTE

“The painful story of Virginia de Leyva, who is forced to take vows against her will and then, after becoming Mother Superior in a convent, falls in love with a young man, creating a scandal (…), has been brought to the screen five times since the post-war period: Raffaele Pacini, 1947; Eriprando Visconti, 1968; Bruno Mattei, 1980; Luciano Odorisio, 1986. Among these, it is worth mentioning Gallone’s version, probably the best of all, starring an eager Giovanna Ralli, surrounded by a cast that includes the Gotha of Italian cinema of the time. The film was widely distributed and performed very well at the box office, although reviewers at the time completely ignored it.” (Pasquale Iaccio, Non solo Scipione. Il cinema di Carmine Gallone – Liguori 2003)