![]() ![]() The dignity the filmmakers give to Baartman’s unhappy life is unquestionable. Though it takes some artistic liberties, the script remains fairly close to the true story of Saartjie Baartman, an over-sized South African girl brought to London as a sideshow attraction called “the Hottentot Venus.” Kechiche and Cuban-born actress Yahima Torres bring the story vividly to life - perhaps too vividly for viewers who don’t want their noses rubbed such a sad and degrading tale, in which they themselves are implicated. One of the strongest condemnations of racism, colonialism and misogyny in contemporary filmmaking, it elicits strong feelings of moral revulsion and disgust, which are not indicators of great commercial success outside hard-core art houses. Director Abdellatif Kechiche entices the viewer into a carnival tent of a film, where morbid fascination vies with shameful voyeurism. ![]() VENICE - A punishing shocker of a film, “Black Venus” is not one that will be easily forgotten by audiences who stick out its nearly three hour running time. ![]()
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