I know this topic belongs in another lounge section but I wanted to throw this open to all my Screenwriting brothers and sisters as I wanted your opinion. Firstly I am a film lover, always was, always will be. All genres are worth viewing and I have always had a soft spot for Horror, all sub genres. However while working on a film recently I was talking with an actress who also loved horror and the topic of gorno came up. We spoke about various films Cannibal Holocaust, Switchblade Romance, Martyrs etc. She asked had I seen A Serbian Film. I hadn't but said I would check it out. Then I read some reviews, not a common practice I must add but I am glad I did. If any of you don't know about this film read the reviews as I don't feel right about mentioning why this film makes me find the need to stay well clear. Okay I get it, some films are made to provoke a reaction, many many great film such as The Exorcist, A Clockwork Orange to great effect. But alas with A Serbian Film I think its a case for me anyway of whats seen can't be unseen. Any thoughts?
Screenwriting : What is seen can't be unseen! by Neville Steenson
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I don't know about you but A Serbian Film was pretty boring to me. It induced nothing in me. It's probably because I've seen worse. Physical stuff do not shock me.
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Hi Albert, I haven't seen it myself as after reading about two specific scenes its not for me. I am not jaded at all about horror, I love it but I guess its just not for me. That's interesting you found it boring, all reviews and much has been said about it but you are the first who has said it was boring. Thank you for your input.
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It's not disturbing at all. A normal man doing dead bodies and eventually moving up to his family isn't what I consider disturbing. :\ I could come up with more sick and twisted stuff than that.
Hiya Ronnie, yeah it's one of them films I guess either your gonna like it or loath it. I thought the first one was pretty good, good acting and well paced. The body horror was intense but not as graphic as it could have been. Nice to meet you by the way :)
Ha ha ha, I love that! A fear of Freddy. I think we all have our little horror fears. I seen The Exorcist when I was seven and it still scares me to this day. Even after working with the face of the demon Eileen Dietz it still scares me. That and them bloody public safety films from the 80's that they forced us to watch at school.... Now that is real horror! lol
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Hey Neville, well, I assure you, I will never ever see "A Serbian Film." I just viewed the trailer... The only thing I can say about this film is "WHY?" and "WTF?!" It looks like a gratuitous, violent mess to me. I'd rather jump off a cliff than watch this film. Oh, and Ronnie, I feel exactly the same way about "Human Centipede." Couldn't agree with you more on that one! ...And they frick'n made a second one! Unbelievable! LOL :)
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I swear Ronnie the PSA films were the worst thing ever, the farm safety one haunts me! The funny thing is after I watched the Exorcist for the first time I never wanted to watch kids films anymore. The power of cinema I guess.
Hi Beth, yep it just looks to be a how far can we push it film. Don't worry as the human centipede 3 is out in a few months, so you can block watch the trilogy!!!! lol. Great to meet you by the way :-D
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Hey Neville, nice to 'meet' you too. :) That's just great... yet another one. The thing that blows my mind is that someone somewhere actually said "yes" to produce these films. Well, if the shock value makes money, right? YUCK! It just screams amateur. I'm not giving up 120 minutes of my life to see it, or my money. Subjectivity indeed! :)
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A Serbian Film was too far for almost everyone. There are levels of gore and extremist cinema that are acceptable - Hostel, Saw, Kids - but then there are some things that are just too much. Suggestion - if you're trying to break in - don't go there.
Ha ha ha Ronnie keep me posted indeed. I think you might find it is not as bad as you might have feared, good acting and tension. Good luck :-D
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I can't watch gore so won't be watching any of the above mentioned films. But I love a good scare movie. A film can be terrifying without a drop of blood spilt. That's what I prefer. Atmosphere. I will NEVER watch Human Centipede, Wolf Creek, Saw, Hostel etc. Could never even watch Nightmare on Elm street. I guess I just have too much empathy for characters.
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Nice round up Ronnie and agree it really is nothing as bad as what your mind would create given the premise. I liked the first one but the second one was not on a par with it at all. I also agree not worth watching again however. Now you are on a roll Ronnie have you watched the French film Switchblade Romance? Now thats a hell of a film, acting, tension and storytelling are right on the money.
I Spit on your Grave (Orig) was a tough one but I agree good acting and tension. Cannibal Holocaust is in the same boat, the soundtrack is bloody amazing, no pun intended but I struggled at certain scenes. Horror often gets a dirty name for itself but when really it's one of the most challenging forms of cinema. When done right I challenge anyone to dismiss it's merit with films like The Exorcist, The Shinning and The Deliverance to name but three. For me and many others out there as long as they keep em coming I will always be there to buy the ticket. I really enjoyed Switchblade a great deal as it reminds me a lot of Hitchcock.
Very true Ronnie as if viewed today from a fresh audience the power of these classic films would I feel be a little to subtle. These films relied on not having to hit certain jump/shock scares every few mins. Well I guess it is the one advantage of getting old is that we did see them when they held their most impact. Devils Rejects I feel caught that 70's vibe perfectly as Zombie knows his horror. 70's cinema was the best.
Thought I'd share my short film with you guys: http://vimeo.com/109202497
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I just saw the trailer, actually, it appeared quite interesting, good production values.
Hi Lauren yep thats the one and it for that scene is to why I don't think I can watch it. I read also it was a metaphor but still I just could not bring myself to view it. However I watched American Mary last week and thought it got that balance of extreme cinema and humour spot on.
I have a soft spot for Horror too and Sci fi I'll share a picture of one of my creatures for a Tv series I'm planning called The Variant, I know a film that's not horror but done cleverly it's called Dead mans shoes :)