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Flavia, the Heretic

Review by Pablo Kjolseth

Italian director Gianfranco Mingozzi (born 1932) got his start as a second assistant director on La Dolce Vita (1960) and a director of documentaries, with ten of the latter in as many years before going off in other directions. He is primarily known for Flavia the Heretic (1974), a controversial work that is widely heralded by Euro-cult fans as among the best (if not the best) of the nunsploitation films - an odd genre that some feel was set in motion by the success of Ken Russell's The Devils (1971).

It should also be noted that some fans find the word "nunsploitation" an unfortunate moniker and prefer terms such as "convent erotica" or "nun cinema." The latter camp might refer to Flavia the Heretic as "notorious" and point to The Nuns of Sant 'Arcangelo (1973) and Story of a Cloistered Nun (1973), both by Domenico Paolella (1918 - 2002), as representing the true pinnacle of convent erotica. Either way, Flavia the Heretic gets credit for making big waves.

Flavia is played by Florinda Bolkan, identified by The Psychotronic Video Guide as the Brazilian-born star that claimed to have been JFK's last lover. The setting for the film is loosely based on Muslim clashes with Christianity around the 15th century but it is Flavia's fight against patriarchal corruption that provides the main attraction.

First Flavia is traumatized by her father (a decapitation is involved). Then she is sent to a convent (wailing cult members are involved). Flavia is also witness to torture and rape (pigs are involved). So she decides to run off with her Jewish friend (thankfully no pigs are involved). After being caught and whipped, the Moslems attack and Flavia suddenly has the upper hand and is able to exact revenge (thus bringing to mind the alternate title of The Rebel Nun -- but it's a fleeting moment that ends badly (and graphically). Fans of the inexplicable can also ponder a supporting role by Maria Casares as Sister Agatha. Casar - who starred in such films as Children of Paradise (1945), and Orpheus (1949) and is pointed out by Chris Fujiwara (writing for Hermenaut) as "probably the most distinguished actress ever to appear in an Italian exploitation film.")

The accomplished cinematography is by Alfio Contini, who worked on The Night Porter that same year and has a prolific lensing career with such highlights as Zabriskie Point (1970) and the recent Ripley's Game (2002). The soundtrack by Nicola Piovani (who would later win an Oscar for his score to Life Is Beautiful in 1999) is exceptional. With these talents and solid production values, it's not hard to see why Flavia the Heretic gets caught in so many cross-fires; on one hand it's really trying to be a cross-over art-house message picture, and on the other hand it's a lurid exploitation film with incredibly unpleasant and sadistic images. Serious viewers can dismiss the film as crass, while crass viewers can just as easily dismiss it as too serious. It just goes to show how hard it is to please and disgust everybody at the same time, but Mingozzi ascends and descends to the occasion.

Synapse Films DVD release of Flavia the Heretic presents the full "director's cut" in a widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio and includes a still gallery, liner notes, and a video interview with Bolkan, who supports the film as having a strong feminist message.

Pablo Kjolseth is the director of the International Film Series at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Nunsploitation.Net would like to extend its gratitude to him for granting permission to include this review.

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Flavia The Heretic [DVD](1974) DVD
Notorious blend of nunsploitation, horror and historical epic stars Florinda Bolkan as a woman in 16th-century Italy who is forced to join a convent by her demanding father. But after experiencing a series of inhumane acts, Flavia flees, only to be caught and tortured by religious fanatics at the church. Her chance of revenge comes when she joins a group of Muslims who lead a revolt against the church, allowing Flavia to try to liberate the repressed women who reside there. AKA: "Flavia, Princess of Violence," "The Muslim Nun," "Rebel Nun." 101 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono; interview, photo gallery. Dubbed in English.