Black Butterflies (2011)

We love when butterflies spread their wings among other things. That’s why we were eager to see Black Butterflies (2011). Not to be confused with the silent movie Black Butterflies (1928) starring Jobyna Ralston and Mae Busch, Paula van der Oest’s flick is a universal biopic. Indeed, the English-language Dutch drama follows the life of South-African Afrikaans poet Ingrid Jonker (Carice van Houten). As the daughter of a government minister who grew up wealthy and sheltered in 1950s South Africa, the anti-apartheid political dissident used her art to stand up against injustice. Like one of the titular butterflies, Ingrid floats from man to man, always searching for greater meaning in her life. In fact, she rubs shoulders (and other parts of her anatomy) with novelists Jack Cope (Liam Cunningham), Eugene Maritz (Nicholas Pauling), and her hubby with a chubby Pieter Venter (Damon Berry). But when she witnesses an unconscionable act of racial injustice, Ms. Jonker finally finds her purpose. Defying her father Abraham Jonker (Rutger Hauer) and her entire society, Ingrid dares to tell the truth about apartheid through her poetry. The film also features Candice D’Arcy, Graham Clarke, and Ms. van Houten’s van nudity! Just 13 minutes into the movie, the Dutch dish serves up a helping of her buns when she strolls outside for some al fresco dining au natural. If that’s not hot enough, she also reveals her rack! When Carice and her man take it inside for a sausage session, more than butterflies will be fluttering down below!