religious resistance

His films like 'The Gospel According to St. Matthew' and 'Salò' interrogate religious institutions and dogma through provocative, transgressive cinema that challenges ecclesiastical power.

Throughout his career, especially in 'Viridiana' and 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie,' he systematically critiqued religious hypocrisy and the absurdity of faith institutions.

His socially conscious films like 'Kes' and 'I, Daniel Blake' explore how religious and institutional systems fail the marginalized, creating implicit resistance through humanist storytelling.