As the years go by, more and more films are delving into the realm of what the MPAA would call, “Strange Behavior”. Featured below are some of the most well known films in the genre of BDSM as well as one of the newest entries into the club, The Duke of Burgundy. From one of the first entries with Luis Bunuel’s Belle de Jour, these films take audiences into a world where the misbehaved are punished for their crimes in a decidedly different manner. Perhaps their sexual fantasies will finally be achieved.
French director Luis Buñuel was one of the first directors to explore the realm of BDSM. Belle de Jour follows Catherine Deneuve as a young woman who explores the world of prostitution because her husband does not fulfill her sexual desires. She has frequent fantasies involving domination, sadomasochism, and bondage including a lovely scene where she is getting whipped. The title literally translates in English to “Lady of the Night”, so Bunuel and Deneuve do not mess around with their intentions in this classic film.
Last Tango in Paris is easily the most widely known film on this list. Synonymous for its sexual escapades and the involvement of one of the most prestigious actors of all-time in Marlon Brando, Last Tango in Paris led to international controversy. In fact, the film was released in the US as an X-rated film. The film amazingly held up as critically acclaimed as well. Both directed Bernardo Bertolucci and Marlon Brando received Oscar nominations for their work in the film.
Pedro Almodóvar, perhaps best known for Volver and The Skin I Live In, created a romantic comedy that also acts as a horror film with Tie Me Up Tie Me Down. The Spanish filmmaker was trying to follow-up on his first international success on Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown with a film that confused audiences. Those expecting a romantic comedy with some light bondage got a whole lot more than they expected and the film received a X rating in the US. Mike D’Angelo says that the X rating was silly “due to an innocuous bathtub scene that dares to acknowledge the existence of vaginas and female masturbation.” Although he does agree that Tie Me Up Tie Me Down is probably Almodóvar’s most uncomfortable film.
Secretary stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader in a film that explores the relationship between a dominant man and his submissive secretary. Now where does that plot sound familiar? Anyways, Gyllenhaal plays the sensitive Lee, a woman who is trying to continue her life after dangerous incident of self-harm. She quickly finds new purpose in work with her new employer E. Edward Grey (Spader). His sexual desires open up a new world for her and allows her to be happy. When approached correctly, the subject matter can really be appreciated.
Much more recently, Lars Von Trier explored the world of bondage and submission with his latest opus, Nymphomaniac. In the movie, Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) goes through many sexual escapades over her lifetime to a man who saved her from being beaten (Stellan Skarsgård). Lars Von Trier doesn’t hold back on any of the many depictions of sex Joe has to go through. When originally released, the film was split in two, but was later released in its full, 5.5 hour director’s cut.
The Duke of Burgundy will be released this Friday, January 23rd in a limited theater engagement and VOD. Critics have thus far been extremely impressed with the film that depicts two women, a love of butterflies, and the limits of their relationship.
