Saartjie Baartman (Hottentot Venus) Film Project
Posted on | April 24, 2010 | No Comments
Check the full article at Shadow and Act posted 04.22:
I just learned, via the Africa Is A Country blog, that French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche is working on a film centered on the story of Saartjie “Sarah” Baartman, otherwise derogatorily known as the Hottentot Venus.
The film titled Black Venus, will be the first feature film with Baartman as its subject – at least, that’s what my research tells me – the closest being a 2006 independent erotic film called Afrodite Superstar, directed by a feminist filmmaker (Abiola Abrams) who adopted the name Venus Hottentot to direct the film, with the intention of “reclaiming the strength and voice of Sarah Baartman as a sexually-exploited woman of color.”
I couldn’t find much info on Kechiche’s Black Venus project, however, I did find it odd that the cast members on the film’s IMDB page doesn’t list a Saartjie Baartman (or even Hottenton Venus) as a character. All I see is a group of white French actors/actresses. Granted, IMDB isn’t always entirely accurate, but I’d think, at least, the lead character would be listed. Unless of course it’s not a literal adaptation of Saartjie Baartman’s story, but is instead “inspired by” her tale… maybe something allegorical. Who knows?
Be sure to read the rest and if you speak French, come back and tell us what’s said in the video.
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