Review of Dogtooth (2009) by Kellen V — 06 Mar 2011

Dogtooth was one of the finalists for 'Best Foreign Picture' at the 2011 Oscars and even though it didn't win, it was probably my favorite foreign picture besides the great 'I Saw The Devil'. The film tells the story of a married couple who have three adult children; They all live together in a house surrounded by a giant wall, we later find out that the children have never left the house because of the threat of harm/death (a notion that was instilled in them by their parents.).

As we go through out the picture the children constantly compete for their parent's approval and perform in bizarre competitions in order to win prizes such as toy planes (Their parents have told them that they often fall from the sky and who ever performs best gets to keep it as a prize.) The only outsider who is allowed into their world is Christina a security officer at the father's factory. She is blind folded (both ways) and driven to their house where she is to perform sexual acts on the son.

Eventually the older daughter blackmails Christina into letter her have copies of movies like 'Jaws' and 'Rocky'. This causes her to re-enact scenes from the movie, upon finding out about this her father tapes one of the vhs tapes to his hand and beats her with it. He then goes to Christina's house were he unplugs her VCR and smashes it over her head. Before leaving he tells her that he: 'wishes all the bad things in life will happen to her children.'.

Upon telling his wife/children that Christina is gone he has his son close his eyes and choose which daughter he wants to sleep with by fondling them in a bathtub. After having sexual intercourse with the oldest daughter she threatens him by quoting Rocky. At this point the oldest daughter has grown more and more agitated and wants to leave she punches herself with a dumbbell and knocks her tooth out before running and hiding in the trunk of her father's car. She sits inside waiting to maker her escape once her father goes to work.

Obviously the film will draw comparisons to 'The Village' but Dogtooth is quite superior in almost every way. The film is shot very minimalistically and it seems like a breath of fresh air. I was reminded of the film 'Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles'. Both seem to have very slow and somewhat tedious stories that at times are hard to get through. The cinematography was by Thimios Bakatatakis and like I said earlier it's very minimalistic. The framing of the picture was well done and it isn't afraid to wear it's influences on its' sleeve.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos isn't afraid to show us the hell that he puts his children through and at times that can be a problem for some people if you get uncomfortable easily. One instance is when the son finds and kills a cat that gets into their garden. Yargos is able to get a wonderful performance out of the father who carries the picture. Also, the oldest daughter and the son turn in nice moments as well. I do however, wish that the youngest daughter and the mother's characters had been fleshed out a bit more. At times it seems if they're just on screen to take up space.

The film does have some issues that people might not be comfortable with such as mutilation/violence as well as some incest. Dogtooth seems like it is going to end up being my generations 'Salo' both films feature violent/perverse situations dealing with people in power who want to control all situations and see what they can get people to do.