The Ritual

A theatrical troupe, Les Riens (The Nothings), comprising Thulin, Ek, and Bjornstrand, is refused permission to perform a happening, "The Ritual," which has been called obscene. The local judge, Hell, attempts to extract from the three a description of the performance; they all aver that it must be seen rather than described. To discredit the troupe and lay the grounds for his assured censorship, Hell explores the actors' backgrounds, discovering their hedonistic personal life styles: the trio form a maison a trois, with hot-blooded Ek desperately trying to evoke a sensual response from the beautiful, enigmatic Thulin, wife of icy, phlegmatic Bjornstr...