About

Deftly interweaving documentary with performance, Casanova Gene is a tantalising exploration of nature, gender, culture and desire.

In a research facility, two caged finches court each other. Actor John Malkovich discards his Casanova disguise during a backstage interview with a young female reporter. An S&M mistress and her client barter the terms of submission. With the lightest of touches, this debut feature from Luise Donschen is governed by scenes of suggestion rather than argument. Images and ideas flutter to and fro in this evocative examination of the laws of attraction and sensuality. The film combines documentary and fiction highlighting the spaces between performance and curiosity.

Ages 18+