DVD: A SERBIAN FILM

Bruce Barnard takes a look at the most controversial film of the year.

Note from author: This film will be released on DVD on January 3rd 2011 after being subjected to 49 separate cuts totalling 3mins 48secs by the British Board of Film Classification.

This infamous debut by Srđan Spasojević has been met with profound critical disgust and moral revulsion by even the most jaded of hipsters following its US premiere in March. Reviews have tended to take the form of a listing of the films many atrocities, often followed by a lengthy disclaimer warning people to stay away and avoid a viewing experience more akin to a sustained physical assault rather then anything resembling narrative cinema in its usual form. In many ways this is a sensible response to what stands as cinemas darkest hour since Passolini’s Salo (1975).

The film focuses on Miloš, a former Serbian porn star talked into taking part in one last film role to support his wife and son. Unaware of just what the director Vukmir has planned, the running time is taken up by Milos’s nightmarish descent into a world of necrophilia, sexual violence and incest.

The director claims the film stands as political allegory. A response to the recent toxic history of his country of birth, but critics have instead chosen to focus on the high number of transgressive shock sequences that are likely cause a wave of nausea in the majority of the audience. Be in no doubt that sections of the film are almost unwatchable, addressing themes so disturbing that even the most hardcore horror fan is likely to turn away from the screen in disgust.

Given it addresses such difficult subject matter it’s surprising that the film looks so beautiful. The stunning cinematography immediately bringing to mind David Lynch’s ‘Blue Velvet’ and the early 70’s work of David Cronenberg. Rather then adopt an approach of suggestion, Spasojevic insists on placing the camera directly at the heart of the action, refusing to pull away from the violence to spare the sensibilities of the audience. This approach leads us into some incredibly dark places. In fact it’s ironic to note that the UK cuts imposed may help to increase rather then decrease the apocalyptic sense of dread that runs through every frame. The full length version I watched having a number of poorly produced FX sequences more suited to a low budget exploitation film then a serious film with an art house pedigree.

This is a difficult, occasionally beautiful study of violence, both sexual and political, with the power to stay with you far after the film has run its course. The hype surrounding its release is well justified, given A Serbian Film stands as one of the most problematic films ever made, likely to disgust and disturb the small minority of viewers brave enough to watch it.

Review by Bruce Barnard