In the real world, nuns typically lead simple, quiet lives.
Taking vows of chastity and obedience in order to fully devote themselves to God, the average nun — be she Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, or some other denomination — gives up her worldly possessions in exchange for the pursuit of greater spiritual purpose, often spending her life in a monastery or convent and focusing on prayer, charity, and schooling.
For some, that’s a fulfilling path, but it’s also maybe not the most interesting story to watch.And yet onscreen, nuns can be whatever the director wants them to be.
They can be the singing, lovable anti-Nazis in “The Sound of Music.” They can be the bawdy and hilarious R&b superstars in “Sister Act.” In some films, like Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta,” they spit in the face of those vows of chastity to engage in some sacrilegiously steamy antics.
In other films,…
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