Directed by Peter Greenaway | Netherlands, United Kingdom, France | 124 mins
Peter Greenaway's stunning and scandalous Jacobean satire on consumerist society is as operatic as they come. English theatre icons Helen Mirren and Michael Gambon star as the Wife and the Thief. Dining every night at the surreally opulent La Hollandais restaurant, the Wife spots a shy bookkeeper at the table across the room. Meeting by chance near the loo, they embark on a passionate liaison, watched over by the Cook (Richard Bohringer). When the brutish Thief discovers the affair, an infamously ghoulish chain of events is set in motion.
With colour-changing BDSM-inspired costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier, an instantly memorable Michael Nyman score, and luridly lavish cinematography by Sacha Vierny, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover remains one of director Greenaway's most singularly blazing and controversial achievements.
Rating: 18A for Crude Content, Sexual Content and Violence.
Part of our Operatic Cinematic Series.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.