I’ve made passing references to David Ives play Venus in Fur in past posts, but I’ve sadly never made it to the theatre to see it. Fortunately for myself and others who have missed out, it has now been turned into a film. Directed by Roman Polanski, it stars his wife Emmanuelle Seigner, and has been getting good reviews from both mainstream and kinky sources.
This isn’t the first movie from Polanski to explore D/s and sexual power games. His 1992 movie Bitter Moon was packed with kink and twisted sexuality. Even his very early movies, such as Rosemary’s Baby and Repulsion, touched on aspects of sex, power and control. Â Given his history, particularly the infamous sexual abuse case, that can make for some uncomfortable viewing, both from a moral and artistic perspective. I’d certainly understand someone not wanting to give him a cut of their movie ticket price. Personally I plan to see it. His classic Chinatown is one of my favorite films and I’m looking forward to seeing what Mr and Mrs Polanski have put together here.
This shows Mathieu Amalric (male lead) on the left, Emmanuelle Seigner centre and Roman Polanski on the right.
Hi Paltego:
Her Majesty and I were fortunate to catch this play. We both very much enjoyed it. I posted a review on my blog awhile back. I am looking forward to seeing the film as well. Polanski was a great choice for director. Chinatown is one of my favorite films also. Be well.
Thanks hmp. I’ve had multiple chances to see the play, but never made it to the theatre. No excuse, other than incompetent organization. Glad to hear it’s good and should make for fine source material for the film.
Take care,
-paltego
I never got to see it on the stage, but I did watch a surreptitiously filmed version that some kind soul put on Youtube.
I just really, really, really wish anybody other than Polanski was directing it. (Well, and that Hugh Dancy would reprise his role as Thomas so everybody could enjoy).
Yes, Polanski does make it problematic to enjoy. He has made many great movies, but his past history taints them all to some degree.
-paltego
I went to see this the other day, and I’ve seen the bootleg film version of the play. I actually think the film is better – the thing about Hugh Dancy is he’s very good at being pained and intense, but he doesn’t seem like he’s really enjoying himself. That makes it a bit ‘Oh this woman has captivated me and is making me do things’ rather than the more interesting (and more true to life) thing you get in the film which is ‘I don’t want to admit that this is anything other than an intellectual interest, but it’s clearly something else.’
Thanks BSB. That’s interesting context. You’ve whetted my appetite for the movie version even more now 🙂
-paltego