Review of Cannibal Holocaust (1980) by M D — 14 Jun 2009

Vile, disgusting, raw, obscene, gruesome, and shocking, this film is inherent social commentary in both content and existence. Supposedly banned a bazillion countries and rumored as an actual snuff film, it follows an anthropologist who recovers lost footage of a group of film-makers who descended into the jungle only to lose themselves to animal instincts and eventual death.

At times reminiscent of Man Bites Dog with the filmmakers as characters whose documentation turns insensitive and exploitive, it is at times alarming and brutally disarming and all together jaw-dropping.

While the film itself has cannibals it refers also to the hungry audience that will eat up anything even if it means the degradation of society. Deodato has admitted regret in making the film and whether identified as possible snuff, a legendary cult film, or any other warranted and vile classification, its existence and brutality remains relevant and important.