With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it seems appropriate to mention some of the love stories feature on The Culture HUD. Since a certain bondage (but actually abuse) themed trilogy concludes this month (2/2018), I set out to do my duty as a hobbyist critic and recommend literally anything else. I know I am hardly alone in bagging on this franchise, but audiences deserve so much better. Moreover, radical thought: why not watch a love story that actually makes you feel good? One that exists to demonstrate the affirming power of a healthy sexual relationship?
After all, it says something terrible abut our culture that sex is often paired with dark fantasy, silence, and trepidation. Treating sex like a sin you indulge in secrecy is the exact worst way to look at something so fundamental to our humanity. The Handmaiden is a film that reminds audiences of how empowering sex can be. You build an intense physical connection with someone who cares about you. The couple grows with each passionate moment they share together. Even better is how Park Chan-wook wraps such a good message in brilliant filmmaking. It does not get much better than this.
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