Review of A Serbian Film (2010) by Wayne K — 21 Jul 2015

When you watch a film with a reputation like this one, it's difficult not to approach it with a particular mind-set. In this case, one of preparing to be disgusted. I just hoped it had something to offer besides the usual blood and guts which make up 90% of modern gornographic films.

Technically speaking you could claim this isn't porn, or even horror, but is actually social commentary. Indeed, that's what its director has claimed, stating it's a satire on Serbian movie censorship and the people that make films on Serbian soil with foreign funding.

Watching the first half I was actually very interested in the story and the direction it was taking. To me it was more of a critique of the world's increasingly sadistic tastes, and that no matter how deplorable something you make is, if you call it art, people will eat it up.

I noticed a recurring motif of red within the film, which subtly hints at what's to come, and the atmosphere is intense and discomforting, following the main character through scenarios and encounters that put him more and more on edge.

Unfortunately, in order to satirize modern sadism, the film-makers have, knowingly or otherwise, created a piece of modern sadism. The film was most effective when the violent acts were more suggested or talked about than physically shown, but soon they're forced into the spotlight, and what results is a series of increasingly perverse and disturbing grotesqueries.

I do admire it for at least attempting to address such contentious issues, but when the movie is shoving these issues relentlessly into your faces, the message becomes somewhat obscured.