The Duke of Burgundy

Studio: Sundance Selects
Directed by Peter Strickland

Jan 23, 2015 By Mike Hunchback Web Exclusive

The Duke of Burgundy began as a different project altogether: a remake of Jess Franco’s Lorna the Exorcist. Lorna is a perfect example of Jess’ freewheeling ‘70s style, which director Peter Strickland says is an inspiration for Duke. Franco regular Monica Swinn appears briefly, but the parallels end there.

At its core is an OK idea—exposing the audience’s preconceptions and hang-ups via a sub/dom relationship between two women—yet instead of allowing Duke to take on its own life, Strickland fleshes out his idea with maddeningly over-bearing style. There’s nothing raw or personal about The Duke of Burgundy; we’re not witness to anything more than laboriously-constructed design both in character and set.

I hope the situation arises for Strickland to make a film the way Franco chose to—if forced to leave computer graphics, color correction, and 64 channel sound mixes behind; if he had no time and no money, but a set of charismatic actors, Strickland’s work could perhaps have some of the life that Franco’s films are flush with.

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