Peter Strickland: The Movies That Influenced The Erotic & Sensual 'The Duke Of Burgundy'

If there's another movie that feels like the interstice between withering-relationship dramas, sexy thrillers and Stan Brakhage, please let us know, because for now all we have is Peter Strickland's ravishing third film "The Duke of Burgundy." The story centers on two women (Chiara D'Anne and Sidse Babett Knudsen of "Borgen") who find their love tested in ways that all long-time lovers must eventually. They also just happen to be really into dominance and submission. 

'Duke' is a work that will resonate with anyone that has ever been in a heated battle with their partner. Strickland turns a discerning eye towards mountains-out-of-molehills moments, mining both discomfort and comedy from the games people play. When we saw it at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, we called it a "work of immense and intense emotional vigor, sprinkled with fun-loving traits and intellectually stimulating prowess."

We recently sat down with the...