Cartas de Amor de Una Monja on AllMovie

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie director Jorge Grau crafts this controversial religious drama about a Seventeenth Century nun swept up in a diabolical torrent of passion and lust. Spain, 1640: reverent superior nun Mariana is attending the funeral of her younger sister Isabel's husband when Isabel begins fondling the cadaver as if it were her sleeping lover. Aroused by the sight yet repulsed by her response to such a morbid sight, Mother Mariana fears that she won't have the courage to confess in the morning and begins drafting a confession letter to Father Augustin. Later that same evening, novice nun Maria bursts into Mother Mariana's room distressed after being taunted by a local pilgrim. When Mother Mariana attempts to comfort Sister Maria, the novice mistakes her superior's maternal affection for romantic interest and attempts to seduce her. Following a moment of hesitation, Mother Mariana rejects the advances, prompting Sister Maria to masturbate with a large crucifix. Convinced that this is a sign of demonic possession, Mother Mariana prepares to report the incident to the Holy office.