Black Journal

Black Journal () is a 1977 Italian black comedy film directed by Mauro Bolognini. It is loosely based on real-life serial killer Leonarda Cianciulli, who killed three women between 1939 and 1940, and turned their bodies into soap and teacakes. It stars Shelley Winters, Max von Sydow, Renato Pozzetto and Alberto Lionello, with the latter three in a dual role as both the victims of the killer, in drag, and those who apprehend her.
Production.
Mauro Bolognini was originally going to direct the film 15 years earlier, with Anna Magnani in the lead role. Later, he envisioned Sophia Loren as the leading actress. The film had several working titles from 1976 to 1977, including "Black Journal", "La cuoca del diavolo", "Sapone di donna", "Donne all'interno", "La saponificatrice" and "La signora degli orrori".
Ornella Muti was cast as the girlfriend of Lea's son, but dropped out in June 1977 and was replaced by Laura Antonelli.