Benedetta (2021) Part 2: Burning Charismatics & Blasphemous Sex Toys (ft. Veronica Novotny, Leave Laugh Love) | Filthy Habits

About this episode

The episode discusses the controversial film Benedetta, exploring its themes of mysticism and the historical context of its plot.

In Part II, Bill and Stephanie get into the plot of Benedetta, and break down the story, the performances, and why this film stirred up so much controversy around Catholic mysticism, sainthood, visions, and miracles. They are once again joined by co-host of the Leave, Laugh, Love Podcast, Veronica Novotny, who once contemplated convent life. In this episode, the three address Benedetta’s ecstatic visions, the plague backdrop of the film, they address THAT Virgin Mary statue, and ask whether or not the Pear of Anguish was actually a commonly used torture device during the witch trial and heretic burning era of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. There’s also a closer look at Paul Verhoeven and his career, including Basic Instinct, Showgirls, RoboCop, and Flesh and Blood, and his surprsing side gig as a Jesus expert.

People in this episode

Hosts: Bill, Stephanie

Guest: Veronica Novotny

Topics covered

• Catholic mysticism
• sainthood
• visions
• miracles
• controversy
• torture devices
• film analysis

Keywords

• Benedetta
• Catholicism
• Paul Verhoeven
• ecstatic visions
• torture devices
• Virgin Mary
• film controversy
• Reformation
• Counter-Reformation

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Pear of Anguish

Books & works: Benedetta, Basic Instinct, Showgirls, RoboCop, Flesh and Blood, Virgin Mary statue

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