“Danish Pastries,” a film from 1972, unfolds in the confines of a small town, a setting that often masks a multitude of hidden desires and unexpected connections. The narrative centers around two seemingly disparate establishments: a bordello, a hub of overt sensuality, and an astrological girls’ school, presided over by a stern, virginal headmistress. This juxtaposition immediately sets the stage for a collision of worlds, where the celestial and the carnal are destined to intertwine.
The catalyst for this collision arrives in the form of a rare celestial event: the transit of Venus across the sun. This astronomical phenomenon, beautiful and significant, is said to have a particularly potent effect on those born under the sign of Virgo. Within the town, the transit acts as a trigger, unlocking latent desires and unleashing a wave of sexual exploration.
The film delicately explores the burgeoning sexuality of the young women at the astrological school. The stern headmistress, a figure of rigid control, begins to experience her own awakening, challenging her deeply held beliefs and the very foundation of her identity. The bordello, meanwhile, becomes a focal point for the townspeople, a place where fantasies are realized and inhibitions are shed. The film doesn’t shy away from depicting these encounters, but rather presents them as a natural, if perhaps heightened, expression of human needs and desires.
“Danish Pastries” is less about explicit acts and more about the underlying tensions and curiosities that drive human behavior. The film uses the small-town setting to amplify these themes, highlighting the contrast between outward appearances and inner lives. The transit of Venus serves as a symbolic release, allowing characters to explore their sexuality in ways that were previously unimaginable. The film is a relic of its time, a reflection of changing societal attitudes towards sex and a glimpse into a world where the celestial and the earthly collide.
