'The Duke of Burgundy' Director Peter Strickland Talks Sadomasochism, His Hidden Nod to John Hughes & More

You’re just as likely to remember the ultra-immersive soundscapes as the rich visuals in Peter Strickland’s films, which after three efforts have cemented him as one of the most strikingly original filmmakers working today. After his 2009 debut feature “Katalin Varga” drew considerable acclaim, it was the giallo-influenced “Berberian Sound Studio,” starring Toby Jones as a frustrated foley artist losing his grip on reality, that truly showcased his ability to tweak genre into new, darkly comic forms.

The success of “Berberian” pressed Strickland towards more ambitious material than commercial prospects. His latest, “The Duke of Burgundy”, was crafted and filmed in Hungary as a tribute to the skin and blood-drenched ‘70s films of Jess Franco and Jean Rollin, telling the tale of two lovers and bug collectors Cynthia (Sidse Babett Knudsen) and Evelyn (Chaira D’Anna) living in a remote mansion. Each day the duo stage a script of sadomasochistic trials and punishments, but soon it is...