Ave Maria is a 1984 French drama film directed by Jacques Richard, who co-wrote screenplay with Paul Gégauff.

The inhabitants of this village live under the domination of the defrocked priest Adolphe Éloi, whom everyone calls "the Holy Father".

During this night dedicated to exorcism, Ursula must undergo an avalanche of corporal punishment intended to cleanse her of all her sins.

Director Jacques Richard was sued by the Society of Saint Pius X, led by Marcel Lefebvre at the time, and eight other Catholic associations who demanded a ban on the poster.

Justice ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in summary proceedings and prohibited the public visibility of the Ave Maria poster for its supposed outrageous nature.