A Serbian Film

[ChronoGrl]

Bumping this as I just read about it in Rue Morgue Magazine. Want to know what you guys think about it, particularly EC and Ferox.

EC - Sounds like you liked it?

I don't think that I'd every watch the film (it sounds like it would upset me too much), but my sense of curiosity is just overwhelming. Tell me about the movie. Details. Thoughts. Pros. Cons. I'm curious.

Is it really up there with the "most disturbing movies of all time" (Martyrs, Visitor Q, etc.)

What of this "newborn porn scene" that I've heard so much about - It's the main reason why I don't think I could possibly watch the film, so I'm curious - What's the point of the scene in the movie? Is it as disturbing as it sounds?

[Angra]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

What of this "newborn porn scene" that I've heard so much about - It's the main reason why I don't think I could possibly watch the film, so I'm curious - What's the point of the scene in the movie? Is it as disturbing as it sounds?

You don't get to see a whole lot, but it's the babys crying/screaming that gets to you.

Not a movie i would like watch again, but i actually thought it was good. And the lead actor did a fantastic job. His character somehow reminded me of Dae-su Oh (Oldboy).

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by Angra

You don't get to see a whole lot, but it's the babys crying/screaming that gets to you.

That really puts me off the film. I was definitely interested in the film, but the idea of the rape of a newborn with the sound of a crying, screaming baby in the background might just be too much. Maybe I should turn the sound down during that particular scene.

[Monet's Muse]

I saw this before the buzz about it came onto the message boards and internet. I went into this movie knowing really nothing about it. Its a beautifully shot film...very nice to look at. These are thee most disturbing scenes I've ever seen up to date. It bothered me for days after and I thought what the fuck did I just watch but maybe for me it was different...I dug it. I like being disturbed. I like feeling uneasy. I watch alot of underground films. This is brilliant. The machete sex scene is my favourite, brutal to the core. I love when a film pushes to the limits...to me its a type of beautiful art. I don't suggest this film to anyone cause I do not know their limits but if you do watch it, it will get to you but you will recover.

[Ferox13]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

Bumping this as I just read about it in Rue Morgue Magazine. Want to know what you guys think about it, particularly EC and Ferox.

It wasn't bad and it was pretty shocking - it was a lot better put together than other nasty films like mordum/tumbling doll of flesh which made it kinda odd.

It also had some dept to it which tied in with Serbian history/war etc but I'm probably too dumb to notice these things. Personally, I feel it was done in the same way as Hostel 1/2...

I must admit it was the most memorable 'fucked from birth' metaphor I've seen..

I loved the music too..

[Elvis_Christ]

Originally Posted by Ferox13

It also had some dept to it which tied in with Serbian history/war etc but I'm probably too dumb to notice these things.

The director has described it as post-war reactionary piece similar to the shake up of the US film industry after the Vietnam war. I definitely see it as a challenge to the predominantly mainstream Serbian film industry but the post-war metaphors don't really have much more depth than "Serbia is fucked up" (well to me anyway). But yeh there's lots you could take from it if you took the time to dissect it.

A Serbian Film will definitely make my "Top List" for 2010 and I rank it up there with recent excellent foreign films such as Calvaire, Ex-Drummer and Taxidermia.

I'm a big fan of the downbeat and gritty character study films that come out of the 90s (stuff like God's Lonely Man and Bad Lieutenant) and this film along with the Pusher trilogy really took me back to one of my favourite periods of cinema stylistically.

A dark twisted film for sure but it shouldn't be written off as mere exploitation or shock for shock's sake and it really annoys me that the film has been marketed/hyped in this way. It's a stylish well crafted film that asserts Serbia's filmic voice showing there a force to be reckoned with. It totally shows how tired shit like Wolf Creek and Eden Lake really is.

The film is confronting and it's an experience like all good films should be. The fact that people are choosing not to watch it drives home the film's underlying themes of society ignoring it's ills pretending they don't exist.

[roshiq]

Originally Posted by Elvis_Christ

A Serbian Film will definitely make my "Top List" for 2010 and I rank it up there with recent excellent foreign films such as Calvaire, Ex-Drummer and Taxidermia
I'm a big fan of the downbeat and gritty character study films that come out of the 90s (stuff like God's Lonely Man and Bad Lieutenant) and this film along with the Pusher trilogy really took me back to one of my favourite periods of cinema stylistically.

Seen Calvaire recently...kinda dark, twisted & atmospheric. Overall, very good indeed.
Downloading...Ex Drummer. Hope to give it a watch in this weekend.
Taxidermia & God's Lonely Man...sounds pretty interesting, adding to the list.

[Ferox13]

I think you put me onto Ex Drummer - man i loved that film...

I'm actually rewatching the Pusher trilogy at the moment (well the first 2 I just rewatched but I'm watching the last one for the first time tonight)

[Elvis_Christ]

"MONGOLIOD HE WAS A MONGOLIOD..." :D

The third Pusher flick is killer. I wasn't that into the second one compared to the other two.

[TheWickerFan]

I watched A Serbian Film, and I have to say I was all right up until the last act. That was too much (those who have seen the film will know what I'm talking about). The 'newborn porn' scene was nowhere near as disturbing as that.