directed by Roman Polañski, drama, 96 min, in French
written by Roman Polañski, David Ives
with Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric
Controversial director Roman Polanski serves up another delicious provocation with the risqué Venus in Fur. A fine-tuned adaptation of David Ives’ Tony Award-winning play, Polanski’s film is a head-spinning plunge into the world of sex and power, where the line between acting and reality is dangerously blurred. Thomas Novachek (Mathieu Amalric) is struggling to cast the lead in his theatrical production of the notorious Sacher-Masoch novella of the title. Almost on cue, the abrasive and brash Vanda (Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner) turns up to the auditions. With the play already memorised and an unnerving way of completely inhabiting the dominatrix role, Vanda casts an intoxicating spell on Thomas that spirals into a power play beyond the stage. Both Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner deliver cheeky and daring performances as Polanski expertly weaves their web of transgressive intrigue. A wicked psychological study, Venus in Fur is a riveting, entertaining and expertly made film that is sure to have the audience talking once the credits roll.
Awards
César Awards 2014 (Best Director)
Polish Film Awards 2014 (Best Music)
Hamburg FF 2013 (Art Cinema Award)
Lumière Awards 2014 (Best Screenplay)