I caught Roman Polanski‘s Venus in Fur at last year’s Cannes Film Festival (read my review here) and Sundance Selects is finally bringing the comedy based on the play by David Ives to theaters on June 20.
Starring Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner, the story itself is quite small as it centers on an actress’ attempts to convince a director she’s perfect for a role in his upcoming production. There is, however, more to it than just that.
Here’s what I wrote in my review:
Roman Polanski’s Venus in Fur hit me like a breath of fresh air on the morning of my eleventh and final day of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Opening with a sequence I’d more associate with a Tim Burton and Danny Elfman collaboration, we’re greeted by a wicked rain storm and an upbeat, gothic score from Alexandre Desplat as the camera splits a tree-lined street.
The perspective veers right to reveal a rundown Paris theatre. The camera comes to rest in front of the theatre doors, which eventually swing open to reveal Thomas (Amalric), a stage writer working to put together his directorial debut, but after seeing 30 actresses he still can’t seem to find the right one to play the lead role, Vanda. He turns and we learn it wasn’t just a camera we were tracking into the theater, but a sopping wet actress (Seigner), late for her audition.
Venus in Fur is based on the play by David Ives and follows this writer/director and actress as Thomas just wants to go home to his financee, but is ultimately manipulated into letting this brash, to-the-point actress read for the role. After all, her name is the same as the character he’s attempting to cast… it could be a sign from the gods.
Venus in Fur is one of three films currently shortlisted on my list of the best films of 2014 so far and given it is finally hitting theaters over a year since I first saw it, it seems a good enough time as any to watch it again.
Check out the trailer below and read my full review here.
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