Review of The Dirties (2013) by Robb R — 02 Jul 2014

Shot in a documentary-like (some would say, found footage) style, and aided by the natural performances and dialogue of the characters, everything in this production seems eerily authentic. At first glance, The Dirties appears to be a cautionary tale on the bullying problem that plagues students in most schools, but it is much more than that.

It also stands as a prime example of all that can still be accomplished in independent cinema today. Filmed on a budget of approximately $10,000, first time filmmaker Matt Johnson and his team simultaneously manage to create a work of art flourishing with filmmaking energy, while displaying an honest, realistic and often chilling portrayal of the victims of school bullying.

Though it's nowhere near as graphic as the plot would lead one to believe, it's bound to bring up some controversy as it challenge one's moral values and blurs the line between what is right and wrong in the line of justice.