Beyond the Walls

Beyond the Walls

118 mins | Drama, Romance | Sept. 1, 1985

This 1985 Spanish film reveals one of the many terrible aspects of 16th century Spain, still plagued by the radical Christian Inquisition, one of a plethora of difficulties Spaniards faced at the time. Spanish super star Carmen Maura plays a nun who agrees to a selfless scam, a fake stigmata, only to avoid separation from her lover, another nun. It's a serious and passionate work, highlighting the theme of outspoken women-against-repression, seen in other good gay and lesbian films. This is not a lesbian "Nun sense" or another "Dark Habits" (by Almodovar, which also starred Carmen Maura, and also set in a Spanish convent, with some lesbian nuns). Perhaps, best of all, 'Extramuros' is realistic and frank. It isn't shy about its characters' sexuality. Their sexuality, and the film as a whole are genuine.

Beyond the Walls

118 mins | Drama, Romance | Sept. 1, 1985

Beyond the Walls
This 1985 Spanish film reveals one of the many terrible aspects of 16th century Spain, still plagued by the radical Christian Inquisition, one of a plethora of difficulties Spaniards faced at the time. Spanish super star Carmen Maura plays a nun who agrees to a selfless scam, a fake stigmata, only to avoid separation from her lover, another nun. It's a serious and passionate work, highlighting the theme of outspoken women-against-repression, seen in other good gay and lesbian films. This is not a lesbian "Nun sense" or another "Dark Habits" (by Almodovar, which also starred Carmen Maura, and also set in a Spanish convent, with some lesbian nuns). Perhaps, best of all, 'Extramuros' is realistic and frank. It isn't shy about its characters' sexuality. Their sexuality, and the film as a whole are genuine.
IMDb rating 6.4
Producers
Original title Extramuros
Directors Miguel Picazo
Writers Jesús Fernández Santos, Miguel Picazo

Cast

Carmen Maura

as Sor Ana

Mercedes Sampietro

as Sor Ángela

Aurora Bautista

as La Priora

Assumpta Serna

as La Huéspeda

Antonio Ferrandis

as El Médico

Manuel Alexandre

as Capellán

Cándida Losada

as Monja

Maite Brik

as Monja

Amparo Valle

as Monja

Maria Caro

as Monja

Manuela Camacho

as Monja

Pilar Coronado

as Monja

Cándida Tena

as Monja

Esperanza Alonso

as Monja

Diana Peñalver

as Monja

Pilar Marco

as Monja

Margarita Alvez

as Monja

Pilar Ordóñez

as Monja

Emma Quer

as Monja