FRANCE, POLAND

VLa Vénus à la fourrure Venus In Fur

2013 – color – 96’

Direction: Roman Polanski

Screenplay: David Ives, Roman Polanski from the pièce Venus in Fur  by David Ives

Cinematography: Pawel Edelman

Editing: Margot Meynier, Hervé de Luze

Set design: Jean Rabasse

Musics: Alexandre Desplat

Costumes: Dinah Collin

Cast: Emmanuelle Seigner (Vanda), Mathieu Amalric (Thomas)

Producers: Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde

Production: A.S. Films (Fr), R.P. Productions (Fr), Monolith Films (Pl) con with Polish Film Institute

Italian distribution: 01 Distribution

synopsis

Alone in a Paris theater after a long day of auditioning actresses for the lead role in his new play, writer-director Thomas complains on the phone about the poor caliber of talent he has seen. No actress has what it takes to play his lead female character. Thomas is about to leave the theater when actress Vanda bursts in, a whirlwind of energy, bold and unrestrained. At first, she seems to embody everything Thomas has been lamenting about. She is pushy, foul-mouthed, desperate and ill-prepared, or so it seems. But when Thomas finally, reluctantly, agrees to let her try out for the part, he is stunned and captivated by her transformation. Not only hast the woman secured props and costumes, but she also fully understands the character, learning every line by heart. As the extended “audition” builds momentum, Thomas moves from attraction to obsession …

critical note

“(…) After his previous film, Carnage, Polanski pursues an approach which, at first glance, may be likened to filmed theatre. That’s without counting on the remarkable work on the transposition and re-appropriation of the play turning it into a full-fledged cinematographic work, conveyed by the metaphor of the set, Alexandre Desplat’s emphatic music and unity for the point of view, that of the director, achieved by shooting with a single camera. (…) the film’s many levels of interpretation make it a wonderful subject for reflection, very pleasant to explore and analyze. (…)” (Domenico La Porta, Cineuropa, 25/5/2013)

festivals & awards

2013 Cannes Film Festival – Competition

2013 Hamburg FF:  Art Cinema Award

2014 César: Best Director

2014 World Soundtrack Awards: Composer of the Year

2014 Lumiere Awards: Best Screenplay