Black Narcissus by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

A group of nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (played by a young Deborah Kerr), is sent to the Himalayas to establish a hospital and an educational centre for the local community. For this purpose, a general gives them an ancient palace, which used to be a house of courtesans. The place, the whistling winds and the exotic people start to distract the sisters. Suddenly, they spend much time remembering life before the mission, and some of them feel tempted by their new home. The tension grows, and the film becomes a horror movie as the nuns fight against temptation.

This British classic from 1947 was really modern for its time, since it dealt with the humanity of women in a religious order. It also carries a lot of symbolism: the weak Sister Ruth, the charming agent Mr. Dean and the mysterious Holy Man all represent the passion that disturbs the nuns. On the other side, Sister Superior Clodagh represents duty.

The controversial production, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, was based on a novel by Rumer Godden. The movie won the Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Alfred Junge) and for Best Cinematography (Jack Cardiff). It also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress for Kerr’s performance.

Martha Lopes