Original subtitles

THE TRUE STORY OF THE NUN OF MONZA

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Marianna de Leyva, we consecrate you a nun in the name of the Holy Mother Church.

I think 4000 ducats are enough.

- Don't you think so? - No.

From now on, your name will be Sister Virginia Maria.

Pardon me, Your Excellency.

It looks like we'll have to pay no less than 6000 ducats for the dowry.

That mother superior is firm.

I don't have that much money with me now.

You advance her those 6000 ducats.

My lord has decided to give the convent 6000 ducats as her dowry.

You can start preparing the donation papers.

The first payment will be made during her novitiate.

The rest will be paid after her first months of seclusion.

Your Excellency, the mother superior has accepted our terms.

Very well. See to it.

Boy, this place sure looks holy!

That's a good one!

Look at those folks, they're celebrating something!

Watch your step, dummy!

- Watch it, I said! - Who's that guy?

Out! Get out of here!

I couldn't have done it another way.

That Raniero had always tried to stop me,

by slandering my good name with his shameful lies.

It was a fair duel. Besides, there were no witnesses.

I'm not in any danger.

Of course, without any witnesses present...

And it's not like you've never committed any despicable acts, after all.

You rotten murderer!

Look at your hands! They're covered in blood!

All the holy water of the Church couldn't wash them!

Shut up, priest!

Keep your sermons for the few peasants who still believe in them!

You know damn well they mean nothing to me!

Quick, come see!

Come here, hurry!

- Well? - I want to meet that gorgeous woman.

A rose, the symbol of love!

Sister Virginia! Give me that book!

Get on your knees.

On your knees!

Your bed was empty the other night.

I got up to pray in the silence of the chapel.

It's so quiet it calms my uneasiness.

You better be careful, Sister Candida. Incense and the lust are a dangerous mix.

You might lose yourself.

But why are you keeping watch over my cot, I wonder?

You find yours too big, perhaps, now that we can't share it anymore?

Shut your mouth, you immoral woman! You slave of vice!

But my vice is surely more natural than yours.

Sister Benedetta! Sister Benedetta!

Wake up! Wake up!

Sister, I beg you to punish me.

I have sinned in thought.

I gave in to the temptations of the flesh.

Stop! Stop it!

Have you gone crazy?

Stop it!

Forgive me!

I didn't want to.

Forgive me!

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Good morning.

I was in the area and thought I'd visit my good friend, the priest.

Who knows, maybe you have some leftover sermons to give me.

Stop it! Show some respect for this place!

Let's have a drink!

I want to meet that new nun, Sister Virginia.

And you'll help me do it.

All right, you numbskull.

But you won't succeed with her.

That girl is not only a nun, but also the daughter of Don Martino de Leyva.

You have no experience with nuns. You're too impulsive.

Nuns require a lot of calm and persuasion.

Oh, give me a break.

- Nuns are women too. - Yes, they are.

But you saw what happened when you threw her that rose, didn't you?

She's going to be watched closely now.

By the way, what happened with young Aurelia?

It's exciting when they resist, but then they get tedious.

This book can be useful in certain cases.

It was written by a monsignor.

It has all the moral justifications and all the right things to say to seduce a nun.

The Bible says to love thy neighbor, after all.

Forgive me, Madam. I have a sad message to give you.

Your illustrious father, Don Martino de Leyva, died peacefully last night.

Feudal lady of Monza, I swear I will be your faithful servant

with the same loyalty I showed your glorious father.

You can be certain, my dear Molteno,

that I'll be worthy of it.

Sister Virginia!

I don't tolerate tardiness to our holy rites.

Don't let it happen again.

My father is dead.

You will now pay your respects to the new feudal lady of Monza.

Show me your other breast, come on!

Like this!

My pale and sweet lady!

Allow Lucifer here to tempt you a little!

I can always absolve you tomorrow!

Yes, tomorrow, but today is Carnival!

Everything's allowed today!

Shame on you, Lucifer!

You can't attack such a sweet little angel from behind!

Better get ready for the moment your soul is swallowed by the depths of Hell!

Enough two on two games! Let's get together!

Come here, you! Enough with this crap!

What are you up to?

- Bend down, come on. - Oh, you!

Come on, join us.

Join the party.

Yeah, you too.

Come on.

What a happy bunch of friends!

That's some party!

Have fun! Mix it up!

Change partners!

Let's confuse your senses!

Reach the pinnacle of your pleasure!

Hear my confession, Father, for I've sinned in thought.

Help me, Father.

Why are my senses experiencing such turmoil?

Why should I feel so tempted?

My life is dedicated to God.

I've respected the wish of my father.

I like being a nun.

Why aren't my prayers and pain enough to fight temptation?

Prayer, pain, repentance, punishment!

Some call them virtues.

Some call them riches of our spirit and soul.

But the soul is just a worthless junk that's been forced on us.

What about our bodies, then?

This bundle of flesh and bone we struggle to drag about.

Why should we reject it? Why should we refuse it?

And why desecrate it even when it looks beautiful?

Let's take you, Sister, you who tries to hide your breasts from the light.

Those firm, beautiful breasts.

Or those thighs that could drive a man crazy with one caress.

Or even that belly which I've dreamed of touching with my own hands!

The desire to possess you has obsessed me from the first day I saw you!

I'll find no peace until then. We must love each other!

We must unite our bodies upon the profane altar of the god of sex!

My God!

Virginia.

I crave you, Virginia!

- I want you! - No! Please, stop!

- I want to kiss you! - No! Let me go!

Let me go!

- Don't resist me. - No!

Stop! What are you doing?

No! No! Let me go!

Let me go!

No!

With no guardian angel in sight, there's always a devil bound to corrupt.

It's all due to our mother superior being too old and sick.

We should elect her successor.

Someone younger, like you.

You're the Lady of Monza, no one would dare disobey your orders.

It's not easy to earn the trust of our other sisters.

Some don't like me, especially the older ones.

And I'd need a vice-superior, too.

A talented, unstoppable woman to pave my way.

One nod, my Lady, and I'll take care of this personally.

I know many sisters who owe me favors.

I'll be a worthy and loyal vice-superior.

- She walked the path to sainthood. - She's a saint, indeed.

Her relics are preserved in the Sant'Arcangelo Convent.

- It's a serious illness that affects the bones. - Poor Mother Superior.

I haven't seen her in days.

Sister Virginia is beautiful, indeed, but I hope she's less strict.

The Lord will protect us.

Have you seen Sister Candida's face?

She's been like that ever since Sister Benedetta became vice-superior.

We had a vote, after all, and don't forget she's not only a nun, but also a noble.

- Now we'll see if she's up to the task. - Of course.

Thank you, Lord, for the food you give us. Amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

Sisters, our beloved mother superior, Sister Imbersaga,

of whom I'm the unworthy successor,

is growing weaker and sicker.

I've decided that no one is allowed to visit her without my permission.

Our vice-superior Sister Benedetta will attend to all of her needs.

She'll be the only one authorized to see her.

Enjoy your meal.

I don't remember allowing you three to leave, Sisters.

We're fasting, Mother Superior, and we won't touch food for at least three days.

We've made a vow to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

to shield the convent from all temptations.

Temptations? What sort of temptations?

Temptations of the flesh, naturally.

Something you should know well, Sister Benedetta.

Being the vice-superior, I mean.

But...

You may return to your seats, Sisters.

The vow is overruled.

What? That's impossible, Mother Superior!

There's no need to inconvenience Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to avoid temptations.

All you need is me.

Get back to your seats now. Quick!

Now that Sister Benedetta has succeeded

in making Sister Virginia the new mother superior, it'll be harder for us.

Virginia is a puppet in Benedetta's hands.

She'll try to stand in our way.

We must do something before it's too late.

Indeed. I've already thought of a solution.

Our beloved mother superior has a weak spot.

Everything will be better than before in just a few days, you'll see.

Wait, don't go.

Stay a little longer.

- I'll be late for the evening prayer. - Who cares?

Besides, our spirits get closer to God when our bodies have experienced pleasure.

You'll pray better afterwards.

What do you want?

- Hush, you don't want to wake up this sweet girl. - Father.

Maybe we should reveal the true identity of our beloved vice-superior.

Right.

Many sisters are eager to know.

Indeed. Besides, I couldn't even absolve her during confession.

Her vice is serious enough to be material for the Holy Inquisition.

Not even being burned at the stake could purify her completely.

What do you want me to do?

- Virginia... - How are you feeling today?

I'm in Heaven every time I hear your voice or look into your eyes.

I love you, Virginia. I want you. I crave you.

We must make love, Virginia, unite our bodies.

No, let go of my hand, please!

It won't be an act of violence, Virginia, but an act of love.

- Please don't be afraid. - Stop! What are you doing?

Don't be afraid, Virginia.

You must not be afraid.

- Virginia. - No!

Please, let me go!

I'll be sweet with you, my love.

You won't feel any pain.

No! No!

- No! - I want you! I love you, Virginia!

No! No!

Stop! Please, let me go!

Stop! Have you gone crazy?

My God! Stop!

You're crazy! Crazy!

Let me go! Stop! Stop!

No! Please! I'm begging you!

Stop!

God will punish you for this!

God will punish you all!

Please, stop!

Stop!

You're monsters, all of you!

You're devils from Hell!

Damn you! Let me go!

I'm begging you!

Shame on you! Shame!

You can't do this to me!

You can't leave me like this!

No!

No! Help!

Help me!

Somebody help me!

Don't get any closer! Damn you!

Don't touch me!

Let me go!

Let me go, I'm begging you!

Stop shouting!

Virginia, my love.

How warm you are inside.

Your body drives me insane.

Insane, I tell you!

My love, my love,

I want you to enjoy this.

I want to teach you to enjoy it, my love.

- What are you doing with her? - Shut up and close the door!

Guess what she was up to?

She was trying to escape the convent!

Good thing we noticed in time!

She says she's been spying on us all along and knows everything.

She wanted to denounce us to the bishop.

We have to hide her away!

I know the place. Let's put her in the attic.

There's a room that was used for spiritual retreats.

- We can lock her in there! - Yeah, good idea.

But what if she starts screaming her head off?

Let's put her in there first. Then we'll see.

Forgive me, God.

Lord,

What more do you want? Are you not yet satisfied?

Maybe you want to mock me after what you've done to my flesh?

You want to deride me?

Go ahead and laugh at me, then.

I know I look ridiculous enough in my repentance garments.

There is no repentance that could cleanse my guilt.

Virginia.

You shouldn't suffer, Virginia.

Each droop of your blood pierces my heart

and rips it apart as if it were struck by a sword.

I'm the one who soiled our love.

I'm the one who tarnished it.

I'm the one who must pay.

I beg you to thrust this blade deep into my flesh.

I beg you to annihilate this wild beast who tainted our love.

Kill the beast, I'm begging you!

I...

I can't bring myself to hate you.

I can't hate you!

Virginia,

I love you.

I love you, Virginia.

I love you.

Our love is a cursed one.

But I want to live it to the fullest.

With all I have.

Dying,

dying for love.

I know so little about you that sometimes I think I fell in love with a shadow.

My childhood memories are full of shadows.

I often think of my childhood.

I remember an enormous room, full of imaginary beings appearing before me.

There was a wooden crucifix in the family chapel,

and the face of that Christ looked so sad and lonely.

I began to love that face.

Whenever I could, I'd go to that chapel.

One night, when I was about fourteen,

I dreamed of a man with that same tormented face.

A feeling of pleasure ran through my body and exploded in my head as he hugged me.

That's what I feel when I'm with you.

I believe God wanted our love.

Remember what you wrote me?

"Our bodies are made in the image of God.

The pleasures of our flesh are blessed by the Heavens."

I've never loved anyone until now.

And God is love.

When my father decided to make me become a nun,

he thought it would make me forget earthly temptations.

But he didn't know I'd indulged in them to feel even closer to God.

He was afraid you'd meet a gold digger, perhaps.

What about you?

Are you a gold digger?

Yes. I'm after the dowry of the convent.

Forgive me, Mother Superior. I thought I was acting for the best!

- Forgive me! - You don't need forgiveness.

A few lashes is what you need.

Both of you, to punish your wickedness.

But that old lady has gone insane, Mother Superior!

She screams like a beast and has the strength of a bull!

We still bear the marks of her violence.

You should have warned me and asked for my advice first!

- How long has it been since her last meal? - She hasn't touched food in days.

Not only does she refuse it, she throws it at us.

The entire cell stinks of her feces.

She's not a woman anymore. Or even a human being.

That thing has turned into a devil!

Her downfall is our fault.

And it's our duty to assist her.

We shall not hate, for our duty is to serve the Lord.

Let me talk to her.

I'm the one who bears the most responsibility.

Holy Mother of God!

The old lady died without receiving any sacraments.

Before we bury her, you're the only one who can save her soul.

You're nuts!

Well, you're a priest.

Just do your job and get it over with.

This is no laughing matter!

You know damn well you're worse than I am.

You keep hiding behind Christ and the Bible!

You use them to cleanse your dirty conscience!

You're the real murderer now!

Cut it out! Her death is no fault of mine!

All right.

I'll do my duty. Come on.

God. This stench is unbearable.

That's just the smell of death, Father.

Ego te absolvo in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.

- Amen. - Amen.

What if our love will end?

Your love is the only thing that gives my life meaning.

Even if it were bleeding, my heart would still sing your name.

Give that to me.

She's pregnant.

Sorry, but I can't let you in.

Sister Virginia is ill and can't see anyone.

Are you sure she doesn't want to see me?

Those are the orders.

- Whose orders? - Mine.

You can go.

There's a girl at the gate. Take her into my study.

Sister Virginia is pregnant.

Are you happy now?

Talk to FatherArrigone if you want to know more. Good day.

- Why, patience is the first virtue of the faithful. - There she is. She's coming.

- Well? - I found the key, it wasn't too hard!

Quick, let's go!

What's the name of this novitiate?

Margherita. She's just a naive peasant.

- Strong, though. - Can we rely on her?

At this point, we'll have to.

As long as we're discreet.

After all, me and Benedetta have the convent to think about.

The other sisters could become suspicious.

- Tell me, how is she? - Quite depressed.

Constantly locked in her room, trying to hide her pregnancy.

Speaking of which, what about Osio?

Bad news, indeed.

Don't tell the mother superior,

but it seems he killed a maid and now he's in prison.

After a life of violence, he's finally gone too far.

That man scares me sometimes.

You must always knock first, understand?

Give it to me. I'll wash your back.

You're still too weak.

What were you up to before you arrived here?

I was a peasant, helping my parents.

What a hard life it was.

Then I heard the Lord's calling.

- Help me. - Yes.

- Do you like it here? - Yes, ma'am.

I'm happy to serve you.

I could even serve you better, if you wanted.

How?

Well, I know that life in a convent is full of penance and sacrifice.

But it's not the same for everyone, after all.

Some people know more than others.

You know, people who act more cleverly

and are usually quicker to know how things work.

"Lady Cunegonda opened the door of her house

and let Signor Ildebrando in through her small hole.

As soon as he had entered, she took him to her bed, naked.

Grabbing him by his rod, she pulled him towards her warm vulva.

There they remained for that whole night."

- Come in, don't waste time! - Wait, what if she gets mad?

Mad? Can't you see she's waiting naked right there?

- Are you absolutely sure? - Yes, come on! Bring him in!

Come in, hurry up!

Come on!

Small brain but big muscles!

Ring around the rosie, stallion!

Come here and get naked, sweetheart!

You too!

- Oh, it's so big! - I told you!

Careful, girls.

You're too naughty, girls.

Come on, stop touching.

Quit it, you're hurting me.

- Sit down. - Where are you taking me?

Keep quiet or there will be trouble.

You're one of the few people who know the truth.

The mother superior is about to give birth.

I'm an experienced midwife.

I could assist her better than anyone else.

Providing such a service could bring you many rewards.

Remember, though, keeping quiet is what really matters.

Hold her still!

Please, Mother Superior, try to resist!

Try to resist!

Hold her still!

Quick!

Mother Superior, please.

Please, resist!

Hurry!

Come here, hurry!

Hurry, I said!

It's almost done, keep resisting.

Yes, like this. Keep pushing.

It's almost done.

Hurry! Hurry!

Yes, almost done.

Yes.

Resist!

Put it back in her mouth!

Push! Come on!

I see the baby.

Poor little thing. It's dead.

We have to carry it away and give it a burial.

We'll inform Osio.

I'll do it myself.

Come on, move it.

You're real brave.

Real brave, indeed.

And much too cunning.

I don't like you at all.

But I like you.

How I'd love for you to like me.

Your religious career is getting off to a good start.

You say you're still a novice.

That's right.

I know little about sex.

But you could teach me.

I know you've got the right experience, after all.

Us women are always hiding secrets under our skirts.

Right. Let's try to reveal yours.

I love you.

I love you deep within my soul.

I know and understand your anger is justified.

You wanted to destroy the fruit of my sins.

For that I thank you, Lord.

I thank you for making me understand.

Your will has become part of me.

I don't love that man anymore!

I don't love him anymore!

I don't love him anymore!

Can I do anything for you?

Yes. You're returning from Osio's house. Don't deny it.

- It would be useless to deny it. - Yes, I admit it.

It was just out of courtesy,

since Signor Osio visits our convent very often.

He's certainly not the only one, by the way.

Liar! You better watch your words!

Margherita, I don't think you've pondered enough

about the consequences of your actions.

You know what deep affection your mother superior feels for Signor Osio.

Then you should know he doesn't share the same feeling.

Gian Paolo doesn't love her.

He's just using her.

He gave me the same sweet expressions he told our mother superior.

Perhaps he was even more affectionate with me. More sincere, at least.

I have no wealth to offer him, after all.

You think Gian Paolo cares about her?

He only wants his women submissive, that's all.

It's as simple as that for him.

Of course he asks a lot of that woman, to see how much he can get out of her.

He even brags about it.

Besides, he doesn't think of me as a simple maid.

He knows I'm smart.

He knows I'm not the love it and leave it kind.

But hey, maybe that's what our lady likes.

Assuming she's smart enough to understand.

You've made a big mistake!

I know too much about you to stand here while you treat me like this!

It would only take a word from me to give the inquisitor so much work!

You'll be consecrated as a nun very soon.

As is the custom, you must spend three days of spiritual retreat in an isolated place.

- Sister Candida will attend to all your needs. - Don't forget about all the rest!

- Don't you dare forget whom you're speaking to! - Of course, Madam!

Welcome.

Having a family reunion, are we?

Please, Margherita, try to be reasonable.

How kind of you to come out in this dreadful weather to see me!

Open up your ears. You'll regret shutting me up in here!

I swear you will!

I'm fed up with wasting time and listening to your sermons!

I want what you promised me!

And I want it now!

No! Don't do it!

Gian Paolo!

Reverend Father.

Welcome, Father.

- Forgive us, Lord. - Hurry up!

Forgive us for our sins, and spare our souls for those we commit.

This chain will never be broken.

When will our turn be?

I can't stand this anymore!

My hands have become filthy, putrid and impure!

These are the same hands that break the consecrated Host!

Quit your jabbering!

No turning back now.

And the dead don't come back.

Tomorrow we'll have plenty of time to feel remorseful.

I'm going upstairs to prevent anyone from coming here.

Come on, priest! Give me a hand here!

Where could your mother superior be?

Not in the cloister, that's for sure.

Ever since she took Sister Imbersaga's place,

the gate of this convent has been wide open.

Satan himself could get inside without any difficulty at all.

Your accusations are quite serious.

I hope for you they won't turn out to be unfounded!

Satan lives in this convent, Father!

And that's the reason you're here.

We're done.

I'll cut up the corpse and get rid of it tomorrow night.

- I'll need your help, Father. - I'm no butcher!

Oh, but you have plenty experience as a gravedigger.

It's a job that suits you perfectly.

This is a blessing in disguise.

This murder unites us even more.

We'll really be inseparable from now on, my love.

The inquisitor is here!

What's behind this door?

- Our woodshed. - Open it.

It's already open. That's strange.

What are you doing here, Mother Superior?

Who are you?

That's Don Arrigone, our parish priest.

What strange ritual are you performing in this room?

The oldest in history, Father!

That of Cain and Abel.

This wretched sinner acted violently against another man in a fit of anger.

Against his brother of flesh and blood!

His brother in kindness and wretchedness.

Two sinners, yet capable of helping each other with utmost, charitable forgiveness.

But now one of them has repented and asked the Holy Church to grant him refuge.

We're all gathered here to decide what should become of this man.

Are you guilty of murder?

Did you only strike to wound or has your victim died by your hand?

I can't remember, Father.

I only recall his grin and his insults while I struck him during a fit of rage.

I hit him without even thinking.

My blade was wet with blood, which already stained his chest.

Enough with this absurd charade!

This man, Father, is Gian Paolo Osio.

He's Sister Virginia de Leyva's secret lover.

Yes, our mother superior.

Soldiers marching in our convent! Soldiers in our convent!

Lord, protect us! Protect us from evil!

They're guilty of murder!

She conceived a child with Satan!

They threw that baby to the pigs!

She's a wicked creature!

The soldiers are here!

They're here! They've come for me!

They're coming to get me! Help me, Virginia!

I beg you, my love!

Me? Help you?

They'll soon take me to Milan as a prisoner.

Crawl under the bed, where no one can find you!

Crawl, my strong, brave lover!

- They're going to burn her at the stake! - They'll try her first!

Torture, that's what she deserves!

We'll be called as witnesses! What a shame for our convent!

There she is!

Quiet!

You must pay the proper respects to your mother superior.

Get in line!

Invoking the name of Jesus Christ,

and having only God before our eyes,

we proclaim and affirm the sentence as follows:

we condemn Sister Candida and Sister Benedetta to be

perpetually confined within the convent of Santa Margherita.

There they shall be placed within two small cells.

We condemn Signor Gian Paolo Osio to physical punishment:

his right hand will be cut off, and all his wealth confiscated.

Since he has managed to elude capture, his sentence will be carried out in absentia.

Father Paolo Arrigone, confessed criminal,

will be condemned to two years of prison.

Sister Virginia de Leyva will be condemned to be perpetually confined

within the convent of Santa Valeria in Milan.

She shall be placed within a small cell,

whose door will be walled up with a barrier of iron and stones.

Sister Virginia will spend her remaining life in said cell.

There she shall serve her sentence and seek repentance for her sins.

In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.

Amen.

Subtitled by Francesco Massaccesi