The Duke of Burgundy

[Fantod]

Posted: 11/19/15 at 2:36am

Despite the supposedly racy subject matter, this movie is a deeply sympathetic and highly romantic love story. The movie's themes of dominance and power are very well fleshed out, and I loved the repeated scene with the maid and how each time it had different connotations (no spoilers). I also liked how the movie didn't take place in a specific time zone and how the entire population appeared to be female. Some people have said this implies that the movie takes place in a dream state, but I thought it served a much higher function: to take away the concepts of masculinity and femininity. We no longer question gender roles in the scheme of things when every single person is a woman, and it allows for purer filmmaking. The movie isn't exactly riveting stuff, but you develop an enormous amount of empathy for both characters by the end of the film and you want nothing more than for them to be happy. It's most of all a film about genuine love and the pain that it causes.

Technically the film is great. The two lead performances are beautiful in their nuances, the cinematography is fantastic, and the music is spectacular and used in a unique way.

Anyone else see this? It's on Netflix if you're interested.

Oh, and the scene with the birthday cake is absolutely fantastic.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/19/15 at 1:52pm

If you liked Sidse Babett Knudsen, you should make the effort to seek out the brilliant TV show, "Borgen".

[Fantod]

Posted: 11/19/15 at 7:52pm

Sound interesting. I'll put it on my watchlist (which is almost 2,000 titles long. yikes.) Have you seen Duke of Burgundy?

[hork]

Posted: 11/19/15 at 9:52pm

I saw it, didn't like it. I felt like it wanted us to laugh at the BDSM while at the same time assuring us that it's all very romantic and sincere. It made me feel nothing for these women or their relationship.