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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
David Kent

RTE Liveline listener fumes as Virgin Mary statue used as sex toy in film to be released on Good Friday

Some Irish Catholics have been left up in arms ahead of the release of a new film - which sees a character use a statue of Mary as a sex toy.

Benedetta is being released on Good Friday in Ireland, and tells the story of a novice nun in the 17th century who joins an Italian convent and has a lesbian love affair with another nun.

It's been a success across the continent, with the biographical drama being nominated for the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

Read more: Government fails to reduce costs on home heating oil as new cost of living package details announced

But certain people in Ireland are not best pleased with one particular scene in the flick, directed by Paul Verhoeven (the man behind the likes of Basic Instinct, Total Recall and RoboCop).

The young nun, Benedetta, is presented with a statue of the Virgin Mary as a gift by her friend/lover Bartolomea.

The catch? The head of the statue has been carved into a dildo, which is subsequently used in a later scene.

Which brings us to Wednesday's episode of Liveline, which saw one listener fuming over the film..

John O'Donovan told stand-in host Katie Hannon: "I've seen the trailers of it and I've read about it. It's like the Census form ,where 'no religion' was the top option.

"I think there's an attack on Christians and Catholicism right around the world, whether we like it or not. I guarantee you, there is no way on the wide earthly world that any director would make a film depicting Muhammad in a sexual manner, or any of the other great faith leaders.

"It seems to be constantly open season on Christians. To pick Good Friday to premiere this movie was obviously deliberate. They could've released it any time, but they chose Good Friday.

"The graphic part of it - to release that on Good Friday is appalling, you wouldn't get away with it on any other faith. There was a time in this country where there would be protests outside the cinema and a lot of cinemas wouldn't show it."

People took to social media to chip in with their own thoughts.

Some noted that John's line about protests was very similar to a storyline from Father Ted.

One person said: "We had the same nonsense over the crucifix scene in The Exorcist 50 years ago. Will we ever grow up?"

A second wrote: "John seems to know a lot about the blue nun movie for someone who hasn't seen it"

While a third tweeted: "In fairness it doesn't say any where in the Commandments: 'Thou shalt not flick one's bean with a statue'"

Comedian Kevin McGahern added: "Never heard of it til now. Cheers for the rec will give it a watch Friday night"

Read More: Government confirms thousands of Irish households to get extra €100 payment next month

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