too many source routinely lump this thought provoke period drama in part base on historical fact together with the superficially similar nunsploitation which be a mainstay in 70 euro trash cinema and overlook the righteous anger that drive the whole endeavor . perhaps coincidentally it be also director gianfranco mingozzi singular attempt at narrative film make outside of many well received documentary . safely set within a historical context and flavia chart the grow rebellion of an early 15th century italian nun ( florinda bolkan career performance and even surpass her sterling work in lucio fulci devastate dont torture a duckling ) and lock away in convent by her not so nobleman father in a desperate attempt to curb the girl bud sensuous nature . wonder why woman be relegate to secondary role at best in life a in holy scripture and she be confront by way in which male domination can rupture female life and inspire revolt fuel by the ranting of semi craze old sister agatha ( indelibly portray by veteran actress maria casarès from marcel carné les enfants du paradis ) and more constructively by a muslim invasion . join the oppressor and perhaps unwittingly manipulate them to do her bidding and flavia truly become the outcast she already felt herself to be and with expect tragic result . with it breathtaking widescreen composition by alfio contini and who shoot michelangelo antonioni zabriskie point and this be an uncompromising and austere account of one woman fierce yet ultimately futile fight against patriarchal society which allot her no right beyond childbearing or whoring a sister agatha wryly remark . a lengthy drug induce fantasy sequence clearly model on ken russell otherwise far more flamboyant devil notwithstanding and the movie turn out relatively stingy in the skin department and make something of a mockery out of it semi porn reputation . this be a serious work deserve rediscovery and restoration of it unjustly tarnish reputation .