Director: Roman Polanski
Talent: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner
Release Date: 30th May 2014
In a thematic sequel to 2011’s Carnage, Polanski creates a terse drama, set in one continuous scene, as an inexperienced actress vies for a role from a frustrated playwright in Venus In Fur.
The premise works as a skeleton key for a Jacob’s ladder of themes and ideas. While the script may start slowly, it’s not long before it runs through auteur theory, sexual politics, power, hagiography and beyond. To these ends, it draws heavily from sources like Klein’s ‘projective identification’ and Theban mythology. It’s a heavily coded piece that’s just a little too aware of how smart it is. Its overt intellectualism is bound to divide audiences, but even those comfortable with this kind of work may feel the occasional jolt.
In terms of physicality this is a sharp and energetic piece, with a tight control over space and muscular, expressive camera work. Proving that while this was already a play, what Polanski brings is the skill of a master technician. An imperfect but sharp thesis punctuated by two excellent performances, the occasional laugh and some worthwhile meditations.
Words: Eoghain Meakin
For more film coverage this month, see our reviews of When I Saw You, Omar, A Million Ways To Die In The West, Edge of Tomorrow and Grace of Monaco.
