In 1989, the BBFC invoked 12th-century blasphemy laws to ban Nigel Wingrove's short Visions Of Ecstasy. Its eroticism was generally passable - - except for scenes involving the body of Christ. With Sacred Flesh, Wingrove is back in similar territory, exploring sexual repression among medieval nuns.
God-fearing Sister Elizabeth (Tremain), facing her own yearnings, enters into a dialogue with Mary Magdalene, recounting the confessions of various blonde and busty young nuns who succumbed to satisfying themselves. The climactic sequence tops Visions Of Ecstasy by showing Elizabeth snogging a female, crucified Christ.
Certainly, Christian controls on sexuality are worthy of investigation. And despite its '80s kids-TV production values and wobbly acting, Sacred Flesh makes a fair stab. But Wingrove confounds debate every time the make-up adorned `nuns' slip out of their habits.
