The Devils - Rakkautta & Anarkiaa 17.-27.9.2026

Ken Russell's The Devils premiered in 1971 and immediately sparked international controversy. The film draws from Aldous Huxley's novel The Devils of Loudun, which is based on a real case of demonic possession among Ursuline nuns in 17th-century France. Priest Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) becomes the target of persecution when Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), obsessed with him, accuses him of spreading Satanism in the convent. The film's uninhibited sexual content, critique of church power politics, and graphic violence led to censorship in several countries - in Finland, it was completely banned until 2001.

At the Rakkautta & Anarkiaa festival, an uncut 4K restoration assembled from the original camera negative is shown, which premiered at Cannes. The film also features set design by Derek Jarman.

Director: Ken Russell. Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian. Country: United Kingdom. Languages: English, Latin. Age rating: 18+. Duration: 114 min. Distributor: Warner Bros. Finland.