Black Venus
2010 · Movie · 159 min · ★ 6.6 · 95% critics
Based on a true story, this historical drama follows a young South African woman who travels to London in the early 19th century hoping for a better future. Instead, she is exploited in Europe as a public attraction, exposing the cruelty, prejudice, and power imbalance surrounding her life.
Where to watch
Streaming on Fandor and MIDNIGHT PULP.
3 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Vénus noire
- Years
- 2010
- Release date
- 2010-10-27
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 159 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.6/10 (119 votes)
About
You may like this if you’re drawn to serious historical dramas about injustice and resilience, especially if Seraphine appealed to you; Not for you if you want uplifting entertainment or lighter viewing.
Pros: powerful true story; thought-provoking themes; striking period backdrop | Cons: distressing exploitation; bleak tone; hard to watch
Themes
- london, england
- france
- paris, france
- brothel
- south africa
- pneumonia
- domestic life
- racism
- poverty
- prostitution
- humiliation
- exhibition
- +5 more
Cast & crew
Yahima Torres
as Saartjie Baartman
André Jacobs
as Hendrick Caezar
Olivier Gourmet
as Réaux
Elina Löwensohn
as Jeanne
François Marthouret
as Georges Cuvier
- MG
Michel Gionti
as Jean Baptiste-Berré
Jean-Christophe Bouvet
as Charles Mercailler
Jonathan Pienaar
as Alexander Dunlop
Rémi Martin
as First brothel's customer
Jean-Jacques Moreau
as Henri de Blainville
Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche