Italy

L'AMORE-1948-This landmark film (actually two short films) by Italian neo-realist Robert Rossellini was banned in many parts of the US until a Supreme Court decision citing "artistic expression" was protected by "freedom of speech". The film is also a tribute/tour de force for it's star Anna Magnani. 

The first story is "The Human Voice" written by Jean Cocteau (based on his play). It's about a woman speaking on the phone to her lover who no longer loves her. It takes place entirely in the woman's bedroom. The second story called "The Miracle"  (co-wrtten by Rosellini & Fredrico Fellini) is the one that caused the controversy. It concerns Nammi (Magnani again), a simple very religious peasant who meets a stranger (Fellini) she believes is St. Joseph.  He gives her too much wine and she passes out. When she awakens (and the stranger is gone) she goes on her way only to discover a few weeks later she is pregnent. She thinks it's immaculate conception but the town shuns her and later publicly humiliates her. She goes off alone and has her baby. The end.

Despite all the controversy the reason it was rarely seen for years had to do with a copyright on the Cocteau play.

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