Viridiana

A young novice nun, about to take her final vows, visits her wealthy uncle. He attempts to seduce her, and after her horrified rejection, he commits suicide. Viridiana inherits his fortune and decides to use it to found a home for beggars and the destitute. Her charitable efforts are met with ingratitude and lead to increasingly bizarre and disturbing events, culminating in a surreal and darkly ironic feast.

Viridiana was met with controversy and censorship due to its themes and imagery, yet it was also critically acclaimed, winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of surrealist cinema and a pivotal work in Luis Buñuel's career, noted for its provocative exploration of religion, morality, and human nature.

• A provocative and surreal masterpiece that challenges religious and moral conventions.

• Buñuel's unflinching portrayal of human depravity and the hypocrisy of charity.

• Visually striking and thematically rich, offering a darkly humorous critique of society.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's daring and controversial nature, with many praising its artistic merit and Buñuel's unique vision, while some find its subject matter challenging or disturbing.

Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival (1961)

The film was initially banned in Spain and by the Vatican due to its perceived blasphemy and controversial content, but it was screened secretly in some circles.