Venus in Furs (1995)

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Directors:

Victor Nieuwenhuijs
Maartje Seyferth

Writers:

Victor Nieuwenhuijs (writer)
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (novel)

Release Date:

16 March 1995 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Fur Coat | Slave | Cuckold | Black And White | Dominatrix

Cast

André Arend van de Noord	...	Severin
Julia Braams	...	Wanda (English Version) (voice)
Rupert Degas	...	Severin (English Version) (voice)
Claire Mijnals
Raymond Thiry
Anne van de Ven	...	Wanda
Hilt de Vos

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch | English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Certification:

France:-16

Company:

Moskito Film

Movie Connections:

Version of Verführung: Die grausame Frau (1985)

Very Pretty

The beautiful filming in Venus In Furs reminds me of why it was called "glorious black and white." Claire Mijnals smolders nicely and has a presence similar to Jean Harlow. Shadows abound and cool framing shows that the director may have found inspiration in German cinema or Derek Jarman films of old. It is a very faithful and beautifully made adaptation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's novel, which means it is both wonderful and lacking in the same ways as the book.

Venus in Furs is definitely not a film for everyone and even for "arthouse" lovers, it feels a bit incomplete and emotionally distant. It is basically an exploration of masochism, sadism, love, control and lack of control. A central question seems to be whether a lover should deliver satisfaction to her/his partner even when it is not satisfying to her/him. Where is the bond built? Where does trust, love, etc. begin and what does it require? These questions have been asked before and probably in more emotionally resonant movies, but Venus in Furs is worth a look for those who are drawn to their local black and white "arthouse" flick.