BLACK VENUS (2010)

“A carnival tent of a film, where morbid fascination vies with shameful voyeurism. One of the strongest condemnations of racism, colonialism and misogyny in contemporary filmmaking.” -- Hollywood Reporter

Abdellatif Kechiche -- filmmaker of the highly controversial 2013 Cannes smash BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR -- also courted extreme reactions with this experimental 2010 biopic that provides a bleak but barbed exploration of sex, science, race, colonialism and social attitudes.

In the early 1800s, Saartjie Baartman (Cuban actor Yahima Torres, in a fearless role) was known in freakshow circles as the “Hottentot Venus”. Presented semi-nude, her physique was the source of much curiosity. But as her fame spread, so too did her exploitation...