According to The Hollywood Reporter, production has already begun on Paul Verhoeven's next movie, Blessed Virgin, and it sounds like it'll be a totally low-key affair that definitely won't ruffle any feathers:
"Production has now begun on Blessed Virgin (Sainte Vierge), based on Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown, with Elle star Virginie Efira in the lead role as Benedetta Carlini, a real-life 17th century nun."
Yes, that's right: Paul Verhoeven is following up Elle with a lesbian nun movie. The news was confirmed on Twitter via Verhoeven's producer, Saïd Ben Saïd, who also had this nifty teaser image to share (warning: incoming nipple action):
SAINTE VIERGE de Paul Verhoeven avec Virginie Efira. En tournage prochainement. pic.twitter.com/kCnSqGYyVc
— Saïd Ben Saïd (@saidbensaid66) April 25, 2017
Yup, checks out.
Perhaps, like us, you weren't already intimately familiar with "real-life 17th century nun" Benedetta Carlini before reading this news. Totally understandable. THR goes on to sum up her story thusly:
Born in 1591, Carlini is a significant figure for historians of women's spirituality and lesbianism. At 30 she was made abbess of a convent in Pescia where she claimed she was experiencing visions of being murdered. It was later found that she had engaged in sexual relations with a fellow nun, whom she was accused of molesting.
Look, I'm not sure what else to add here, folks. This is wall-to-wall good news: Paul Verhoeven's already working on another movie, it'll reunite him with Elle's Virginie Efra, it's a period piece, and it revolves around a lesbian nun who's having visions of herself being murdered. Of course we're onboard.
Stay tuned for more on Blessed Virgin as the updates roll in.
(Note: header photo used with permission via Wikimedia Commons)