"the Duke of Burgundy" (2014)

The cinematic exploration of fetishism and the intricacies of sexual relationships is not a recent phenomenon but a theme that has been intricately woven into the fabric of film history. This year, a curated list of films spanning decades and diverse genres has been released, each sharing the common thread of exploring various facets of fetishism, challenging societal norms, and delving into the complexities of human desire.

The world premieres of Iolanta and The Nutcracker took place on 18 December 1892 at St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre. “The execution of both,” wrote the composer to his brother Anatoly the next day, “was magnificent, and that of the ballet perhaps too magnificent – its brilliance made one’s eyes tired.” Gustav Mahler conducted the first performance of the one-act opera outside Russia on 3 January 1893 in Hamburg and also directed the Viennese premiere of Iolanta on 22 March 1900.