Saartjie Baartman is forced by her slave master Cesar to leave her home in South Africa in order to be exhibited in Europe as a human attraction. In London, she is presented as the “Hottentot Venus” to a sensation-hungry audience – humiliated, abused and robbed of her dignity. But her hope for a better life remains unbroken. She later ends up in Paris, where she is initially celebrated as an exotic curiosity, but then increasingly becomes the object of pseudo-scientific desire. Her body becomes a commodity, her fate a tragedy. Abdellatif Kechiche directs this unembellished and intense story about racism, colonialism and the brutal exploitation of a human being under the guise of entertainment and science. He not only sheds light on historical injustice, but also shows how social power structures manifest themselves across generations. BLACK VENUS premiered in the competition of the Venice International Film Festival and received widespread acclaim. Yahima Torres gives a memorable and impressive physical and emotional performance in the leading role. With this film, Kechiche presents a uncompromising work that is as disturbing as it is stirring, and remains painfully relevant to this day.
Early 19th century: Because of her striking appearance, South African Saartjie Baartman is paraded around Europe like a wild animal in a circus act.
Saartjie Baartman is forced by her slave master Cesar to leave her home in South Africa in order to be exhibited in Europe as a human attraction. In London, she is presented as the “Hottentot Venus” to a sensation-hungry audience – humiliated, abused and robbed of her dignity. But her hope for a better life remains unbroken. She later ends up in Paris, where she is initially celebrated as an exotic curiosity, but then increasingly becomes the object of pseudo-scientific desire. Her body becomes a commodity, her fate a tragedy.
Abdellatif Kechiche directs this unembellished and intense story about racism, colonialism and the brutal exploitation of a human being under the guise of entertainment and science. He not only sheds light on historical injustice, but also shows how social power structures manifest themselves across generations.
BLACK VENUS premiered in the competition of the Venice International Film Festival and received widespread acclaim. Yahima Torres gives a memorable and impressive physical and emotional performance in the leading role. With this film, Kechiche presents a uncompromising work that is as disturbing as it is stirring, and remains painfully relevant to this day.