Bámbola lives with her gay brother Flavio and her insane and gun toting’ mother (Played by Anita Ekberg) in a small Italian village. When her mother suddenly dies Bámbola decides to leave for the city, but is persuaded to stay behind by her brother who quickly pimps her out to some fat rich bastard named Ugo who helps them open their own restaurant.

Both Bámbola and her brother fall in love with Settimio, a young man they meet by the pool. Things get more complicated when Settimio accidentally kills Ugo in self-defense and is send to prison. Both Bámbola and Flavio visit him in jail on a daily basis until a fellow inmate “The Beast” (Jorge Perugorría) sets his eyes on Bámbola and is determined to have her, Bámbola however refuses to see him, When Settimio is raped in Prison, Flavio once again pimps her out in order to guarantee Settimio’s safety. While at first the brutish beast repulses her, she falls madly in love with him after she herself is being raped during a conjugal visit.

When “The Beast” is finally released from prison he moves in with Bámbola and her brother; bringing both of their lives in constant danger but Bámbola is to weak to free herself from his spell.

Jorge Perugorría (Strawberry and Chocolate) is simply terrific, I hardly even recognized him at first as he completely loses his sweet persona in this wild monster. A very funny, twisted and sexy film about passion, submission and the bad choices we make when it comes to love and our libido. Strangely three characters in the film discover their true self after being raped. One of Bigas Luna’s finest and also most underrated films. (4/5)