Tracker Pixel for Entry

Butterfly wings

Cinema | October 30th, 2015

Strickland visits “The Duke of Burgundy”

A carefully crafted homage to sensualist 1970s European exploitation cinema in general and the work of filmmaker Jess Franco in particular, Peter Strickland’s “The Duke of Burgundy” bestows many perverse pleasures upon its viewers. Beautifully designed, confidently structured and filled with visual and aural luxuries, the story alights on the strained and idiosyncratic relationship between two insect researchers/enthusiasts whose intense study of lepidopterology and entomology approaches Nabokovian levels of poetic expressiveness, especially when combined with the BDSM being practiced by the lovers behind closed doors.

Our introduction to Evelyn (Chiara D’Anna) indicates that she serves as the submissive of Cynthia (Sidse Babett Knudsen), a stern taskmistress who metes out humiliations for the tiny infractions and mistakes committed when Evelyn falls short keeping house and polishing boots properly. Things are not what they seem, however, as Strickland reveals that Evelyn essentially “tops from the bottom,” scripting the exchanges that always lead to her sexual punishments. The more time we spend in the company of the two women, the more the director plays with the idea that Cynthia is a reluctant dominant who mostly, if not only, plays her role to please Evelyn.

Strickland uses the unorthodox particulars of Evelyn’s fantasies to examine the emotional connection between his two protagonists. The erotically charged novelties that constitute Evelyn’s desires — from the repetition of being scolded for failing to properly hand wash Cynthia’s undergarments to confinement in a locked trunk — are presented by Strickland with a great deal of restraint, deliberately leaving much to the imagination. Unlike many of Franco’s films, “The Duke of Burgundy” does not feature nudity. As Strickland goes deeper, he divulges a much stronger interest in the things we do for love rather than any of the “deviant” practices of Evelyn and Cynthia.

Whether one more closely identifies with Evelyn’s need to have her meticulously planned scenarios realized or with Cynthia’s frustration at the ongoing performance requirements and demands, Strickland manages to locate the most basic kinds of conflicts that can affect even the most vanilla partnerships. The movie’s deep respect for interpersonal universals contrasts with the ambiguity of the setting and time period. Like the vaguely anachronistic objects that flavor the films of Wes Anderson (though the filmmakers significantly differ in style), Strickland concocts a universe rife with antiquated technologies that suggest a fantasy space without a fixed year and out of step with 2015, even if the events shown could be happening now.

“The Duke of Burgundy” contains plenty of icebox talk to merit post-screening conversations or invite multiple viewings. While the primary interactions involve Evelyn and Cynthia, all of the supporting players in Strickland’s cast are female, from the curious specialist identified in the credits as “The Carpenter” to the entirety of the audience of academics who attend lectures on the moths and butterflies that serve as the film’s primary metaphoric motif (and provide the evocative title). The end credits, with the same sense of sly humor that courses through much of the film, delightfully lists a roll call of featured insects along with the human performers.

“The Duke of Burgundy” is now available on Netflix instant watch and other platforms.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…