Passion is a 2012 Swedish documentary film, directed by Maja Borg, that explores the relationship between Christianity and BDSM, and how both practices can be seen as methods of healing from trauma. The film is a deeply personal exploration of Borg’s own experiences with domestic abuse and her search for healing through unconventional means.
The film begins with Borg recounting the story of her abusive relationship, detailing the physical and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her former partner. Seeking a way to heal from this trauma, Borg turns to two seemingly disparate practices – Christianity and BDSM – in an attempt to understand the role of suffering in human experience.
Borg uses imagery and symbolism from both practices to create a surreal and visually stunning film. Scenes of church rituals and BDSM performances are intercut with personal interviews and reflections on Borg’s own experience. The film is shot in black and white, with highly stylized lighting and atmospheric sound design, giving it a haunting, dreamlike quality.
Throughout the film, Borg draws parallels between the two practices, highlighting the ways in which both involve an element of suffering and submission, and both can be used as a means of transcendence. She explores how the Christian concept of redemption through suffering can be paralleled in BDSM through the idea of catharsis, and how both practices can be seen as a way of accessing deeper levels of emotion and spirituality.
The film also explores the role of gender and sexuality in both practices, particularly within the European queer scene. Through interviews with members of the BDSM community, Borg examines how the subculture can provide a space for queer individuals to explore and express their sexuality and gender identity.
Overall, Passion is a deeply personal and poignant exploration of trauma, healing, and the ways in which spirituality and subculture intersect. It is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that challenges viewers to question their own preconceptions about religion, sexuality, and the human experience.
