Loosely based on a non-fiction book, “Benedetta” is a film about a Catholic nun who rises to the position of abbess with her supernatural visions and display of the stigmata in the 17th century. She becomes embroiled in a secret relationship with a fellow nun and is tried by the church.
The film has been Refused Classification (RC) for its portrayal of Jesus Christ and members of the church in a manner that is insensitive and offensive to the Christian and Catholic faith.
These include excessive same-gender sexual scenes between two nuns, comprising explicit sexual acts and depictions of a religious object being used for sexual gratification. The film also contains depictions of Jesus Christ engaging in violent bloodshed, and displaying an implied sexual attraction to the protagonist.
Under the Film Classification Guidelines, “any material that is denigrating to racial or religious communities in Singapore” will be refused classification. The religiously offensive content has exceeded the Classification Guidelines.