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Black Venus

Original title: Vénus noire
  • 2010
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Black Venus (2010)
Watch Bande-annonce [OV]
Play trailer1:22
1 Video
8 Photos
DramaHistory

In the 19th century, a black woman from Africa is on display throughout Europe as an exotic curiosity.In the 19th century, a black woman from Africa is on display throughout Europe as an exotic curiosity.In the 19th century, a black woman from Africa is on display throughout Europe as an exotic curiosity.

  • Director
    • Abdellatif Kechiche
  • Writers
    • Abdellatif Kechiche
    • Ghalya Lacroix
  • Stars
    • Yahima Torres
    • Andre Jacobs
    • Olivier Gourmet
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    3.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Abdellatif Kechiche
    • Writers
      • Abdellatif Kechiche
      • Ghalya Lacroix
    • Stars
      • Yahima Torres
      • Andre Jacobs
      • Olivier Gourmet
    • 25User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 1:22
    Bande-annonce [OV]

    Photos7

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    + 2
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    Top cast92

    Edit
    Yahima Torres
    Yahima Torres
    • Saartjie 'Sarah' Baartman
    Andre Jacobs
    Andre Jacobs
    • Hendrick Caezar
    Olivier Gourmet
    Olivier Gourmet
    • Réaux
    Elina Löwensohn
    Elina Löwensohn
    • Jeanne
    François Marthouret
    • Georges Cuvier
    Michel Gionti
    • Jean-Baptiste Berré
    Jean-Christophe Bouvet
    Jean-Christophe Bouvet
    • Charles Mercailler, le journaliste
    Jonathan Pienaar
    Jonathan Pienaar
    • Alexander Dunlop
    Rémi Martin
    • Le premier client du bordel
    Jean-Jacques Moreau
    • Henri de Blainville
    Cyril Favre
    • Le premier aide naturaliste
    Dominique Ratonnat
    • Le 2e aide naturaliste
    Didier Bourguignon
    • Le 3e aide naturaliste
    Ralph Amoussou
    Ralph Amoussou
    • Harry, le premier domestique
    Alix Serman
    • Matthew, le deuxième domestique
    Patrick Albenque
    Patrick Albenque
    • Zachary Macaulay
    Christian Erickson
    Christian Erickson
    • Lord Ellenborough
    Nigel Hollidge
    • Maître Gazely
    • Director
      • Abdellatif Kechiche
    • Writers
      • Abdellatif Kechiche
      • Ghalya Lacroix
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    6.83.1K
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    Featured reviews

    6poyri

    Too much

    This movie should be half an hour. There are same scenes over and over. Okey we got it that the woman is suffering under a very horribble man but we do not know what she thinks . She keeps her silent thorough the movie.

    The storytelling is not sufficient altough the subject is perfect.

    Anyway i am very sorry for that woman and shame on those white people so called "the founder of modern world"
    8stensson

    What is exploited?

    This is the story of the black woman in the early 1800s, shown on cheap varieties as the so called Hottentott Venus. She behaves like an animal, is treated on stage as an animal and is regarded as such by the rude audiences.

    She isn't a slave. Not technically, but the agreement with her employer is of course on his terms. There are also other forms of performances. This woman also acts in front of Parisian high society and not at least in front of the scientists of the time, who find resemblances with the orangutan.

    What her employers is exploiting is not just this woman; they also exploit racism and the different kind of audiences let their racism be exploited. There are of course money to be made from prejudices. 200 years ago and now. This our lesson.
    Kirpianuscus

    bitter

    one of films who impress for its message. because it is not exactly a film about racism, prejudices, past or steps of science but about the other's position in society.honest.about cold. a black woman and her shows. the freedom as convention. the show and its nuances. a film who propose not a solution or sides of hidden events. only a start point for understand the manner to use the people as objects. and the complicity of the society to this cruel game.so, the virtue of the film is to reflect a ball of attitudes about the people. the selfish, the cruelty, the greed. who are parts of human nature. the axis of this delicate construction - the performance of Yahima Torres. the pillars - the music, dialogues and the air of the different scenes who becomes almost perceived by viewer. a film who could be useful. not only as historical testimony but as demonstration of a strange form of profound sin .
    8thisissubtitledmovies

    a thoroughly worthwhile experience

    excerpt, full review at my location - While some will attest that the armless Venus De Milo is a work of art, actual physical faults are treated with considerably less vigour – even when they're a result of nature itself. The Venus in Abdellatif Kechiche's biographical drama never comes close to attaining the stature of a God, but nevertheless provides the basis for a fascinating meditation on how one can be judged by the sum of their apparent parts.

    The film's value lies in its ability to interconnect human sciences with medical science, genuinely accessible as an historical biopic of sorts, but never exclusively tied to a timeline. In avoiding becoming too self- righteous towards his subject, Kechiche achieves a lot with his ambitiously-scoped examination of cultural ignorance, and integrates conventional biopic stamps into his outlandish topic. Even if a chunk of Black Venus could acceptably be consigned to the cutting room floor, it's difficult to condemn its unrelenting vision, and the level of interest in its unique appeal makes for a thoroughly worthwhile experience.
    8hoxjennifer

    A Difficult True Story to Tell Done Well

    This film is NOT for the faint of heart. Nothing is censored, just the bare naked (literally) truth. Black Venus tells the true story of Sarah (Baptized name) Baartman, a South African woman of Khoisan descent who in the early 19th century was led on false pretenses of fame and fortune to England only to be exploited for her body.

    I watched this film with a basic understanding of Sarah's biography. With this in mind, I am a little surprised that the film didn't get a higher rating. Yes, it is difficult to watch. Yes, it shows exploitation and abuse at its finest (if that's even the correct word to use here). Yes, there is shocking and pornographic scenes that are not suitable for the faint of heart. Yes, you will be disgusted.

    But you should be. This is a very accurate portrayal of what happened to the true "Venus of Hottentot." She was exploited for her body, people paid to touch her buttocks and her genitalia was a matter of scientific intrigue. This movie is not a pleasant watch, but the topic itself is not a pleasant truth. This is a dark side of history that is difficult to explore, and the director and the main actress do a wonderful job of portraying it as such.

    History buffs, this film is for you - especially if you are interested in African/Women's history. For the faint of heart, avoid this film - and for the curious, make sure you know fully well what you're getting into.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Liam Neeson in Schindler's List (1993)
    History

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Yahima Torres was discovered walking down the street in Belleville.
    • Connections
      Featured in El lado oscuro: Abdellatif Kechiche (2024)

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 27, 2010 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Belgium
    • Official site
      • MK2 (France)
    • Languages
      • French
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • Dutch
    • Also known as
      • Vénus noire
    • Filming locations
      • Montfort L'Amaury, Yvelines, France
    • Production companies
      • MK2 Productions
      • France 2 Cinéma
      • CinéCinéma
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,514,245
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 39m(159 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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