Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta in Competition at Cannes 2021

Paul Verhoeven’s hotly-anticipated film Benedetta will be competing for the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival 2021. Verhoeven hasn’t released a film since Elle in 2016, and the director has been working on his passion project ever since. It was rumoured the film would have competed at last years festival, but the festival confirmed this morning via Twitter it would feature at this year’s festival.

The film is set in the late 15th century, with plague ravaging the land, Benedetta Carlini (Virginie Efira) joins the convent in Pescia, Tuscany, as a novice. Capable from an early age of performing miracles, Benedetta’s impact on life in the community is immediate and momentous.

Pathé Films announced that following the world premiere at Cannes, the film will be released in cinemas in France on the 9th of July. Along with releasing a trailer and a poster to mark the occasion.