La Religieuse (aka The Nun) (1967)

Set in 18th century France, a rebellious young woman is forced by her family into entering a convent and taking vows against her will. The convent has a loving mother superior (Micheline Presle) but after her death, the atmosphere becomes tortuous and abusive. Based on the novel by Denis Diderot and directed by Jacques Rivette (CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING). I'm not Jacques Rivette's biggest fan but I found this film fascinating. Anchored by a strong performance by Anna Karina in the title role, the film is a compelling portrait of political and emotional machinations within the Catholic church and more specifically, convents. Filmed in 1965, the film was banned in France until 1967. The film was shown at the 1966 Cannes film festival and its positive reception most likely helped the ban reversal. The movie wasn't shown in the U.S. until 1971. By 2024 standards, it's difficult to see any legitimate reason for a ban though the Catholic church is supersensitive to negative portrayals. The first part of the film is difficult to sit through as Anna Karina's nun is basically a prisoner who is abused by her nun tormentors but things change in the film's second half when she is transferred to a different convent which comes across as a country club for lesbians! With Liselotte Pulver, Francine Berge, Francisco Rabal and Jean Martin.