Verführung: Die grausame Frau

Followed by a talk with Elfi Mikesch, Monika Treut, moderated by Heleen Gerritsen (in German)

Wanda is both a mysterious dominatrix and a smart businesswoman. Her job is to be cruel, with the specialty of luring her lovers into the trap called seduction. In her art gallery in the port of Hamburg, Wanda stages sadomasochistic rituals as bizarre stage shows. She is also a commanding dominatrix in her private life. The film, based on the novel ‘Venus in Furs’ by Sacher-Masoch, triggered widespread reactions: With its BDSM scenes, the film not only angered the then Federal Minister of the Interior and the Catholic Film Service; it also caused controversy in lesbian and feminist circles. Some celebrated its subversive power, while others were disturbed by its radical display of sadomasochistic fantasies. Today, the work is considered an avant-garde-surreal milestone and a form of queer self-expression. (FR)

Elfi Mikesch is Austrian-German photographer  and film director

Monika Treut is a filmmaker, producer and author