Virginie Efira has embraced the uproar surrounding Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta,” a film depicting a romantic relationship between two nuns that provoked anger and demonstrations across multiple nations. Rather than shy away from the project, the actress welcomed the opportunity and recently accepted the Leopard Club Award at the Locarno Film Festival. Efira reflected positively on the film’s divisive reception, noting that such passionate responses to cinema are increasingly rare in contemporary film festivals.
The actress revealed her straightforward approach when Verhoeven first outlined the film’s explicit content. She expressed admiration for Verhoeven’s body of work, including “Showgirls,” which has gained critical reassessment in recent years. Her decision to participate stemmed from genuine artistic trust rather than calculated risk-taking, and she emphasized her commitment to following directors whose vision she believed in.
Beyond “Benedetta,” Efira has collaborated with other acclaimed filmmakers, including Japanese director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi on “All of a Sudden,” for which she earned recognition at Cannes. The actress maintains that her career choices prioritize the director’s sensibility and creative perspective above all other considerations. She takes a grounded view of acting, cautioning against dramatizing the profession and stressing that meaningful work emerges only from genuine directorial vision and authentic connection between filmmaker and performer.
Originally reported by Variety →
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