Review of A Serbian Film (2010) by Jesse K — 03 Feb 2013

I caught this over the weekend based on Flixster recommendations and wasn't sure what I was in for. It turned out to be a pretty well made, taut thriller, but certainly an usual one. I can see now why it's controversial, but I would have to agree that I've seen worse sex and violence in a lot of other movies, not to mention much more explicit nudity than A Serbian Film revealed.

There are some upsetting scenes, but they're there for a reason, and unlike a lot of other movies, at least there was a point to all of it. In the great porn -v- art debate, I wouldn't exactly call A Serbian Film art, but it isn't porn, Contrast this with Maplethorpe's compelling photography which is technically superb, but makes no real point and has no story other than shock effect. I think the test is whether there's any kind of redeeming value, and in a literary sense, if there's a story behind it, or something that challenges you to question, think, reflect, or re-examine values and assumptions, etc.

A Serbian Film really does have a good story, though not a profound one. How the story is told is what makes it absorbing. The way this film is put together is just tops. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat, and really, the sordid scenes set the atmosphere and were there to express what a sick mess Milos had been drawn into. You really care about the characters who are all pretty interesting and you wonder what they're going to do next.

I also agree with another reviewer that there's an element of the tongue-in-cheek in this movie, but most people will so want to be shocked by what happens, they'll likely miss it. I would say, see this film if you like tense movies and can handle real horror.