Venus in Fur

La Vénus à la fourrure

France, Poland, 2013

Drama

Synopsis

After a day of auditioning actresses for his play, Thomas finds himself alone in a Parisian theatre with little hope of finding someone to take the lead role and he is preparing to leave when Vanda arrives. Vanda embodies everything that Thomas hates, but he gives her a chance.

Venus in Fur Directed by Roman Polanski

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Awards & Festivals

Cannes Film Festival

2013 | Nominee: Palme d'Or

Locarno International Film Festival

2014

César Awards

2014 | Winner: Best Director

2014 | 6 nominations including: Best Actress

David di Donatello Awards

2014 | Nominee: Best European Film

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Cast & Crew

Articles from the Notebook

Critics reviews

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Of all Polanski’s latter-day chamber pieces… this is the liveliest: taut, witty and, while very much a male film, nevertheless a sly dismantling of the sexual politics of performance. But it’s weirdly striking just how much Amalric, playing Thomas like a man in a permanent state of advanced little-boy terror, resembles the director in his youth. You can’t help speculating on who, in this particular showbiz household, wears the shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather.

Jonathan Romney

May 31, 2014

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This is Polanski’s most simple and unalloyed film, a joyous two-hander and as near to a comedy as Polanski has ever been – bearing in mind his customary attraction to discomfort, panic and a nagging imminence of the sinister.

Roger Clarke

May 30, 2014

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[Venus in Fur] is a perverse funhouse of a movie, in which identities get pulverized and sexual power play never ceases: “Dutchman” by way of “Vanya on 42nd Street.” It’s the work of a master dabbling in small pieces rather than epic ones, and putting all touches into perfect place without so much as glancing at his canvas.

Michał Oleszczyk

May 25, 2013

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What are people saying?

J.J. 'Jake' Gittes's rating of the film Venus in Fur
J.J. 'Jake' Gittes

A masochist gets pleasure from suffering; a sadist, just the opposite, gets pleasure from doing it. But here, the subject is not this. It is about the power struggle, the eternal battle between the sexes. About who is in control & who isn’t. Thomas (the boss) & Vanda (the subordinate) constantly are sliding in & out of characters & control. You don't know, who is now dominating whom? Brilliant! Masterpiece.
January 18, 2016 13:20
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El Biffo's rating of the film Venus in Fur
El Biffo

Lately, Polanski is directing theater and calling it cinema. This must really cut down on the budget. And he only had to pay 2 actors for this film. CARNAGE was also a stage play, the whole thing filmed in one room. On these budgets, these films have gotta make $$$! This one is a really fun perverted psycho-romp, it almost feels like Amalric is playing the role of Polanski in THE TENANT, slowly losing his grip...
September 10, 2019 21:43
- 17
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Rosalie Bordeleau's rating of the film Venus in Fur
Rosalie Bordeleau

Pour l'avoir vu deux fois, pour avoir eu les même frissons à la fin, pour le jeu de ses deux acteurs magnifiques, pour le scénario, pour Vénus: je n'ai rien à redire sauf que ce film est près du chef-d'oeuvre.
September 06, 2019 07:02
- 7
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elisa2046's rating of the film Venus in Fur
elisa2046

Great Polanski! Another smart and funny film. And the quote of "The tenant" is so brilliant..
September 10, 2019 21:44
- 2
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analeorne's rating of the film Venus in Fur
analeorne

Proving once again that Polanski is one of the most brilliant directors alive. With two (astonishing) actors and a rather simple set, he messes with your mind for an hour and a half by changing the Masoch paradigm multiple times. One of the best movies I've seen lately.
January 24, 2019 17:33
- 3
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LauraPalmer's rating of the film Venus in Fur
LauraPalmer

this is what happens when you LITERALLY make a film ONLY with a brilliant script (and a giant cactus). this is what happens when you decide to show our hidden perversions. this is what happens when you end your film with a perfect final scene. yes, this is basically FILMMAKING.
January 24, 2019 18:29
- 7
- 1
msmichel's rating of the film Venus in Fur
msmichel

Another theatrical exercise from Polanski that is far less successful than his adaptation of 'God of Carnage'. One can't fault the performances for Amalric and especially Seigner are quite brilliant here in this perverse twoplay. It's the script that falters with the actions becoming more unbelievable and convenient for story as the film goes on. Well shot and never boring just not up to the pedigree of the canon.
January 24, 2019 17:45
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Pierluigi Puccini's rating of the film Venus in Fur
Pierluigi Puccini

David Ives' stage play seems tailor made for Roman Polanski. Claustrophobia, erotic tension, role games, submission and offbeat idiosyncratic humor, in tone with his early films like Knife in water and cul-de-sac, minus their uniqueness.
January 24, 2019 17:41
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