Review of Taxidermia (2006) by James H — 20 Apr 2008

Sometimes films can be so shocking and grotesque they just make you view it in a state of bewilderment and wonder. It is really the magic of the cinema when a film comes along and manages to shock you and makes you appreciate the depravity of the characters to the story.

'Taxidermia' follows the 3 generations of a family. You know you are into a rough ride when the opening scene is of a man playing with a candle next to his mouth and then is shown with fire coming out of his erect penis.

The film begins with the birth of a child who is born with a pigs tail. He grows up to be a champion eater and wins various competitions. He marries a fellow champion eater who they give birth to a skinny child who grows up to be a taxidermist and brings shame on the competition eating father as he is skinny and weak.

This film is repulsive, obscene and very graphical. It is likely to make the strong wince and check that what they have just viewed is correct. If you are a person who struggles watching someone being sick for a constant 15 seconds then you best avoid this film as there is about 2 minutes worth of constant sick footage.

The jewel of this film is really how beautiful it is shot. The time and effort of each shot is just incredible as you feel every drop of sweat and layer of fat in quite hideous and mischievous angles. The cinematographer (Gergely Poharnok) is a very talented man as the film is transformed into a magnificent film.

The layers of the characters are fairly weak and that I feel is the only disappointing feature to the film. However this is truly and important piece of work.