‘The Duke of Burgundy’ is a Mixture of Fine Wine and Sleazy Pulp Erotica

GameStop, Inc.

duke1

With his last feature, 2013’s Berbian Sound Studio, writer-director Peter Strickland made a fascinating take on the Giallo film, like a mash up of Susperia and Blow Out accentuated with what’s fast becoming Strickland’s signature look of beautiful close ups in deep focus. For his follow up, Strickland expands upon his stylistic growth with The Duke of Burgundy, a slow burn relationship drama with an S&M edge. With its limited cast and fascinating power dynamic between lovers, The Duke of Burgundy has Strickland working as an assured and confident director.

Cynthia (Sidse Babett Knudsen) stays within her home studying entomology, mainly moths. Everyday Evelyn (Chiara D’Anna) comes by to perform various chores around the house while Cynthia buries herself within her work. When Evelyn does unsatisfactory work, Cynthia subjects her to various punishments, each more demeaning than the next. Still, day after day Evelyn returns to work. It turns out that Cynthia and Evelyn have been in a relationship and their roles are a committed form of role playing. Between speaking engagements at a local entomology club, their roles as dominant and submissive seem in flux. Attempting to please one another through degradation carries its toll, and may very well undo the fabric of their relationship.

Between The Duke of Burgundy, R100, and the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey, it would seem as if there’s a glut of S&M themed movies reaching the theaters in early 2015. While R100 fills the void of the bizarre and 50 Shades will be the commercial hit, The Duke of Burgundy is the honest exploration of a dominant/submissive power dynamic. With exception of a few supporting characters, the only main actors in The Duke of Burgundy are Sidse Babett Knudsen and Chiara D’Anna, and both shine in their respective roles. Each actresses’ ability to convey pleasure, jealousy, apprehension, and contempt keep the audience guessing as to which way the power struggle is going at any given moment.

Beautifully shot, well-acted, and confidently directed, The Duke of Burgundy is an artistic homage to trashy sexploitation films of old with an honest, unexploitative look at relationship in crisis. Strickland’s assurance in his own work is conveyed through every frame, and he respects the audience enough to let them figure it out for themselves. From its opening credits, which seem like they’re ripped from an early ‘70s Swedish erotica picture, to its deliberate pacing and adult theme, The Duke of Burgundy is a mixture of fine wine and sleazy pulp erotica. Between Berbian Sound Studio and The Duke of Burgundy, Peter Strickland has established that he is filmmaker worth keeping a close eye on.

The Duke of Burgundy will be released in select theaters and VOD on January 23rd by IFC Films

Anytime Costumes

2 Comments

  1. elbee January 21, 2015 Reply
    • Sean Mulvihill January 21, 2015 Reply

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
Roz Makes Her Return to ‘Night Court’ in ‘Pension Tension’ Exclusive Clip

Roz Makes Her Return to ‘Night Court‘ in ‘Pension Tension‘ with...

The Ninaber Bros. and Kristen Kaster Talk DREAD’S ‘A Knight’s War’ – Interview

‘A Knight’s War‘ from DREAD takes us on a mystical journey...

We Test Our EQ By Revisiting the ‘New Zoo Revue’ with Doug and Emily Momary – Interview

We revisit the classic 1970s series, ‘The New Zoo Revue‘ with...

Event News Event Reviews
In Love with ‘Shakespeare in Love’ at the Maverick Theater – Review

Fall in love with ‘Shakespeare in Love‘, the Maverick Theater has...

‘Tick, Tick…BOOM!’ Explodes on stage at the Chance Theater – Review

‘Tick, Tick… Boom!‘ has dynamite performances with a lackluster book that...

‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ is Wonderous at The Phantom Projects – Review

Off-Broadway comes to North Orange County with ‘The Marvelous Wonderettes‘ at...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Goldie Collins uses her ‘Animal Instinct’ in the WOW Tag Team Division – Interview

Goldie Collins and her Animal Instinct tag team partner, Katarina Jinx...

Top Tier Talk About the Season Premiere of WOW – Women Of Wrestling – Interview

Top Tier Talk About the WOW Season Premiere and being named...

WOW and Pluto TV Tag Team with a New Channel – SDCC News

WOW – Women Of Wrestling has a new tag team partner...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents – Valentine month special featuring Luna Love good pt 2

I'm an Alpha. As my female I expect you to cook,...

Fantoy Comics Presents – Valentine’s day special 2025 pt 1

Ok you got me, I don't surf.

Fantoy Comics Presents – A REPRINT!

Oop!

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
John Dawson Talks His Cody Rhodes Inspired Song ‘Under All the Lights’ – Interview

Canadian Singer/Songwriter John Dawson Talks About His Cody and Brandi Rhodes...

Composer Youssef Guezoum Nominated for Two HMMA Awards – Interview

Moroccan born composer, Youssef Guezoum takes his adopted country by storm...

Isabella Summers Talks Composing for the Animated Feature ‘Hitpig!’ – Interview

‘Hitpig!‘ Composer, Isabella Summers Talks About Composing for the Indie Animated...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Michael Hirsh Made Gen X Citizens Via his ‘Animation Nation’ – Interview

Legendary Animator, Michael Hirsh goes from Immigrant to Emperor in his...

Billy Eddy Talks His new Book ‘Our New World of Adult Bullies’ – Interview

Lawyer, Mediator and Personality Expert Bill Eddy Provides a Six-Step Strategy...

Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Relive ‘Batman Forever’ with the Spin Master Exclusives at Target – Toys

Celebrate 30 years of ‘Batman Forever‘ with this DC Comics Retro...

The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4 – Interview

Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4: A Game-Changer for the Safety...

Artista Cigars Unveils Name Change For Two Cigar Lines – News

Artista Cigars Unveils Packaging Redesign and Name Change for Puro Ambar...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...