I know, right? I don’t think sex scenes are inherently bad. I also don’t think consensual sexuality in young (or old) people is inherently bad and I don’t think it’s depiction in movies is inherently bad. Let’s say my view of mutually consenting sex is very positive.

It’s the way the actors may be treated by their on-set superiors and by the general public in today’s society that’s making me worried, not the content itself. I think making this kind of movies should be possible without danger for the actors and the way to make it possible is striving for a more tolerant, more sex positive society that is more relaxed in the naked body department.

It’s just boobs.

Ok, I do agree with your view of Zeffifelli.

Just because of the dare at the end and despite me not being a downvoter, let me try and play the devil’s advocate for the “showing a minor’s breasts in a movie” thing.

Let’s strive for a society that doesn’t view a human naked body as something needlessly and automatically sexual (Shakespear or not). Women and girls should not be ashamed and afraid to show their breasts because of people sexualizing (and potentially attacking) them. A naked body, no matter the gender or age, is just a body. People should not feel they have to cover any part of it to be safe. (Let’s also note the extent of covering needed is rather culture-specific.)

I wish I could look at the scene and feel moved by Julia’s youth and her first experience of love (I feel Julia’s young inexperienced sexuality is portrayed well in the movie and it doesn’t feel gratuitous) without fearing for the safety and well-being of the actress.

It’s not like you can just get rid of popes right away, so you can as well get used to commenting their evilness level. It’s not the same as defending them, just evaluation of the current situation in historical context. There WERE worse times.