The Inner Circle

Quite an unusual, remarkable movie treating of themes connected with orthodoxy (control) by a Catholic hegemony and the free speculation of their institutionalized teenage pupils, chatting in private alone. Prohibitions and punishments are predictably rife. The most striking scene is where a bathing nun is secretly observed performing sado-masochistic acts on herself in the bath, undoubtedly of a sexual nature (under her bathrobes, she is masturbating) whilst her wrists are bleeding. The audience speculates! Are the ultimate goals of two practices distinct? Self-mortification aims for spiritual purification, enlightenment, or closer communion with the divine. Whereas sadomasochism aims for pleasure, emotional release, and perhaps a deeper connection with 'the divine', though it can also involve personal growth and self-discovery inside the carnal. Which do you reckon is really going on?