If you were captivated by the sensual and provocative world of 'Curiosa' (2019), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 movies and shows that share its themes of passion, forbidden love, and artistic exploration. Whether you loved the historical drama or the bold storytelling, these recommendations will keep you enthralled.
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Description: A sophisticated tale of seduction and manipulation among aristocrats, featuring complex power dynamics and sexual politics.
Fact: The film was adapted from Christopher Hampton's play, which was itself adapted from the 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
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Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Description: A coming-of-age story about a young woman's sexual awakening and journey through different social classes and relationships.
Fact: The miniseries was groundbreaking for its time in its explicit portrayal of lesbian relationships in period drama.
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The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Description: A historical drama about sibling rivalry and sexual politics in the royal court, focusing on women's limited agency in patriarchal systems.
Fact: The novel and film take significant historical liberties, as the real Mary Boleyn was likely older than Anne, not younger as portrayed.
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The Duchess (2008)
Description: A sumptuous costume drama about a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who seeks passion and independence in restrictive society.
Fact: Keira Knightley's elaborate wigs in the film were so heavy they gave her migraines during filming.
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A Royal Affair (2012)
Description: A lavish period drama about illicit romance and political intrigue in royal circles, featuring intellectual and sexual liberation themes.
Fact: The film was Denmark's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards.
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Belle (2013)
Description: A historical drama exploring race, class and gender through the story of a mixed-race woman navigating aristocratic society.
Fact: The film was inspired by the 1779 painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle beside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House.
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The Handmaiden (2016)
Description: A visually stunning period drama with intricate storytelling, exploring themes of deception, forbidden love, and power dynamics in a historical setting.
Fact: The film is based on the novel 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters, but transposed from Victorian England to 1930s Korea under Japanese rule.
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The Favourite (2018)
Description: A darkly comedic period piece about power struggles and romantic entanglements in royal courts, featuring unconventional relationships.
Fact: The film uses an unusual fisheye lens effect in several scenes to create a distorted, almost surreal perspective on the royal court.
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Colette (2018)
Description: A biographical drama about a woman's sexual and artistic awakening in repressive society, featuring themes of authorship and gender roles.
Fact: The real Colette was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 and was the first woman admitted to the Goncourt Academy.
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Ammonite (2020)
Description: A slow-burning historical romance that examines the complexities of a passionate relationship between two women against societal constraints.
Fact: The story is loosely inspired by the life of British paleontologist Mary Anning, though the romantic relationship is fictionalized.
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