A Serbian Film (2009) *snuff horror*

[Hellbilly]

Couldn't find much info and it's not listed on IMDb yet I think. Here is the
Trailer (http://splattermovies.blog.de/2009/08/28/serbian-film-sex-snuff-video-6843411/) though but, WARNING - graphic content!

[CrazyFatEthel]

That looks...icky....

[aoiookami]

hmm, looks pretty crazy. I've always been interested in the snuff theme in movies, from Thesis to 8mm, this one looks interesting as well, wonder if we'll ever see it hit stateside.

[msw7]

I started to watch it this morning, but it paused to buffer every two or three seconds, so I lost interest - is the site always slow, or was it just me then?

[Hellbilly]

I started to watch it this morning, but it paused to buffer every two or three seconds, so I lost interest - is the site always slow, or was it just me then?
Mine paused as well, but not very often. It's worth another try because the Trailer is quite something.

[aoiookami]

I started to watch it this morning, but it paused to buffer every two or three seconds, so I lost interest - is the site always slow, or was it just me then?

no it's not just you, that site is horrible. I just ran a google search and found a trailer on another site.

[Hellbilly]

This film will have its premiere at the South by Southwest Filmfestival (Austin, Texas) in March.

Serbian Film / Srpski Film (Serbia)
Director: Srdjan Spasojevic. Screenwriters: Aleksandar Radivojevic and Srdjan Spasojevic
Facing financial difficulties, a retired porn star is lured back for one final film by a wealthy, eccentric producer. This experience, however, will be vastly more taxing than his previous shoots.
Cast: Sergei Trifunovic, Srdjan Todorovic, Katarina Zutic, Ana Sakic (World Premiere) And yeah, Serbian Film is finally listed at IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1273235/

[MorallySound]

That looks pretty f'd.

[MorallySound]

A second red-band trailer.

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/serbian-film/red-band-trailer-b

[x666x]

Looking forward to it

[baggio]

when is this coming to dvd?

[mcchrist]

I remember reading about this about a year and a half ago when the first red band trailer hit online. This has been one of those movies that has been swimming in the back of my mind for a while, in the same kiddie pool as the August Underground Films, Murder Set Pieces and who knows...

Filth, any...way.

I watched it last night. Someone had posted this on facebook and I was too tempted.

What I saw, was evil.

I have seen too many movies in my life. I remember as far back as high school and unless the movie had a 57% ratio of gore, I was uninterested. If this movie came out, or rather, if I had been grown up in the post-two-girls-one-cup-era...

I probably would be unimpressed.

And for me, that is a problem.

A few months ago I had stumbled across a murder video that had been leaked by a murderous band of serial killer psychopaths from the russian region. I don't want to give direct details only because this has become an internet mem and I DO NOT want to encourage it, but when I had watched that single eight minutes I had been filled with sadness and regret for days. I even begged my wife not to watch it, she did and she even could hear the poor victim gasping for air hours after she had witnessed the torture.

Let's go back to A Serbian Film... It is slick. It is about as slick as SAW 1. It is polished. It has fit the bill for the ultimate exploitation film experience...

Even now, I am not sure I want this in my head.

Go ahead and google it, you'll find all the reviews and synopsis that you need. Read ALL the reviews, even the most revolting example (and it is an obvious revolting example) of what you are about to see.... That is a footnote only to the rest of where this film goes, spiralling down, ever so slowly, to the bottom pits of hell.

This is an evil movie. I will not put this any other way.

[Hatchetwarrior]

Interesting enough, wasn't quite as taken back as I thought I would be. Still looks rather fucked up.

[mcchrist]

Interesting enough, wasn't quite as taken back as I thought I would be. Still looks rather fucked up.

Trust me, once it hits the 40 minute mark and [blank] does what to [blank] it becomes blankety blank blank blank blank from there.

It's a bad one.

[mcchrist]

Trust me, once it hits the 40 minute mark and [blank] does what to [blank] it becomes blankety blank blank blank blank from there.

It's a bad one.

Now that I think about it, I'd like to be quoted that someday... Ha!

[Copyboy]

What I saw, was evil.

Even now, I am not sure I want this in my head.


Thanks for the warning. Sounds like my reaction after seeing Irreversible. I'll be sure to miss this one.

[Paul0889]

i don't think i wanna watch this film, period...i skipped through it and watched a few parts, and as soon as i got to the newborn baby scene i said fuck it and turned that shit off. it's a disgusting film, and makes cannibal holocaust look like snow white and the 7 dwarfs.

[Horrorphilly]

Why does some of the most depraved shit excite me? lolol



sean

[x666x]

Just saw it. It was technically well shot. I wouldn't say it had an exceptional "look" to it, though.

There is some on screen, horror violence, but I would say it emphasizes a more of a sexual depravity. I mean, if you have seen Jorg Buttgereit's films, this would probably be suitable for a trip down memory lane. I didn't find it any more shocking than JB films at that. Some satisfying developments in the story do help it along.

[17thJuggalo]

Honestly at this point I've seen so much horse shit online that I'm pretty much desensitized to movies like this which is kinda disheartening.

[make believe]

I consider myself pretty desensitized to this sort of stuff as well, but I still really want to see this. It looks damn interesting even if it might turn out to be nothing more than shock value.

[baggio]

Seen the movie.

Just curious, how does this movie not get in trouble for 2 scenes involving sex with children?

[x666x]

Maybe we should cover up details of the film with those spoiler bars as most have not seen it yet?

My guess is that this film will just get screened at the odd rep theatre. It is not a positive depiction of those certain scenes, if you know what I am saying ;), so they will get away with festival screenings and such.

[Morgue Rapist]

A few months ago I had stumbled across a murder video that had been leaked by a murderous band of serial killer psychopaths from the russian region. I don't want to give direct details only because this has become an internet mem and I DO NOT want to encourage it, but when I had watched that single eight minutes I had been filled with sadness and regret for days. I even begged my wife not to watch it, she did and she even could hear the poor victim gasping for air hours after she had witnessed the torture.

I saw that video and was pretty bored by it. The russian skinhead video where they saw the guy's head off with a combat knife didn't do much for me either. Recently there was a video of a kid who decapitates some guy with a machete. All of these videos didn't affect me much at all, in fact I can't even remember the details of the video you mentioned. I'm not sure what that means, I kinda doubt that I'm desensitized to violence. It's just that most things bore me these days and it takes a hell of a shock to get a reaction out of me. It's a pretty lousy feeling.

That said, I'm looking forward to this movie...

[baggio]

I saw that video and was pretty bored by it. The russian skinhead video where they saw the guy's head off with a combat knife didn't do much for me either. Recently there was a video of a kid who decapitates some guy with a machete. All of these videos didn't affect me much at all, in fact I can't even remember the details of the video you mentioned. I'm not sure what that means, I kinda doubt that I'm desensitized to violence. It's just that most things bore me these days and it takes a hell of a shock to get a reaction out of me. It's a pretty lousy feeling.

That said, I'm looking forward to this movie...

You can rest assure that your on a list somewhere. If that makes you feel any less lousy. ;)

[Morgue Rapist]

You can rest assure that your on a list somewhere. If that makes you feel any less lousy. ;)

I don't get it...

[Iron Jaiden]

I don't get it...

http://www.toonicestocks.com/sites/toonicestocks.com/files/logo_watchlist_m4.jpg

[dickieduvet]

I'm taking a shot in the dark here but with a username like Morgue Rapist and the fact that real death/murder footage doesn't affect you that you don't spend much time watching Pixar movies and taking your partner out for walks on the beach !!

[mcchrist]

The fact that I am probably the most jaded viewer of extreme horror on this forum, that considersThe Snuff Files, Murder Set Pieces and the August Underground films pure entertainment...

I agree with Dirty Duvet here (sorry about the name change, have a good friend with a band name of DD)

I sense troll.

[othervoice1]

Ive seen enough snippets of comments regarding this film on the net to know I have no desire to ever see this- I dont even want to see the trailer.

[baggio]

http://www.toonicestocks.com/sites/toonicestocks.com/files/logo_watchlist_m4.jpg

Bingo!


Nice job Iron Jaiden.


The fact that I am probably the most jaded viewer of extreme horror on this forum, that considersThe Snuff Files, Murder Set Pieces and the August Underground films pure entertainment...

I agree with Dirty Duvet here (sorry about the name change, have a good friend with a band name of DD)

I sense troll.

Well maybe not that, but definitely something.

Hense, my "list" comment.

[Hatchetwarrior]

The film got a surprisingly positive review over at Dread Central:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/serbian-film-a-2010

[aoiookami]

I just finished watching it, and felt, I dunno, it was kind of pointless. Aside from pure depravity there was nothing that stood out, which I guess was what they were going for, it's another one of those 'morbid curiosity' movies, but they always end up doing nothing for me in the end; Yeah it was deprived, now what?

I think x666x hit the nail on the head, if you've seen stuff like Nekromantik, or possibly Salo, you're pretty much seen what this film has to offer. It's vile yeah, but nothing that hasn't been done already 20, 30 years ago.

edit; Also, alot of the scenes "gross-out factors" were dropped dramatically by comically bad "prosthetics". I didn't know the prosthetic from Boogy Nights would make appearances in this movie.

[mcchrist]

The film got a surprisingly positive review over at Dread Central:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/serbian-film-a-2010

It's not really surprising, it's very well made. Probably the most polished example of "Cinema of Transgression" I've ever seen.

RE: aoiookami

The fact that you have lumped it with Nekromantik and Salo would have attracted me to it, modern films don't go there anymore. Not this high-profile anyway.

I watched it a second time, this time with the wife. She pointed out to me the black humor of certain shots I missed the first time around.

This is an evil movie. Well made, though. Like or hate is purely subjective on this one.

[ReelFear]

good or bad, i don't care.
this is the movie i want to see more than any other.

[mcchrist]

About as good as a reaction as any.

[Morgue Rapist]

I'd have to say that I haven't seen a modern movie this good in quite some time. This is the type of movie I can really dig, the sort that reinforces a hatred of humanity. Nothing wholesome at all here, just pure hate. My only problem with it is the same problem I have with most modern movies; too slick and polished.

Also, I thought the soundtrack was killer. Fit the movie perfectly...

[Morgue Rapist]

I think x666x hit the nail on the head, if you've seen stuff like Nekromantik, or possibly Salo, you're pretty much seen what this film has to offer. It's vile yeah, but nothing that hasn't been done already 20, 30 years ago.

No. While NEKROMANTIK is an infinitely better movie, A SERBIAN FILM goes beyond what's on display in NEKRO, there's no denying that.

Now, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, CANNIBAL FEROX on the other hand, those are two movies that I've always had trouble watching. A SERBIAN FILM is like a walk in the park compared to some of the old italian cannibal films. Real animal death/torture is something that truly repulses me.

edit: Now that I think about it, I'd say THE EXORCIST, HAPPINESS and SALO "push the envelope" more than this movie.

Examples:

"LET JESUS FUCK YOU! LET HIM FUCK YOU!"

"Would you ever fuck me?"
"No, I'd just jerk off instead."

[Ptflea2]

Probably not going to watch the movie, but really like that song in the second red ban trailer.

[MorallySound]

I watched this the other night and while it does have some depraved and repulsive scenes that are pretty extreme, it just loses its effect to truly disturb because it's too "slick and polished" that you never forget it's just a movie. I've heard it compared to the August Undergrounds, and while I can see the connection with the depraved scenes, the AU films are still far more disturbing because of the way they are filmed. The "reality" there tricks your subconscious and makes the AUs harder to stomach. A Serbian Film is just a straight forward shock value horror film.

Overall it was decent, but from all the "hype" I've read about A Serbian Film, it just didn't come through and disturb me the way it could have. The first half of the film is pretty good and the acting also quite good, but then it just descends to shock after shock that you can see coming and the black humour reinforces the polished aspect. I actually burst out laughing during the skull fuck/eye fuck scene.

[make believe]

I watched this the other night and while it does have some depraved and repulsive scenes that are pretty extreme, it just loses its effect to truly disturb because it's too "slick and polished" that you never forget it's just a movie. I've heard it compared to the August Undergrounds, and while I can see the connection with the depraved scenes, the AU films are still far more disturbing because of the way they are filmed. The "reality" there tricks your subconscious and makes the AUs harder to stomach. A Serbian Film is just a straight forward shock value horror film.

Overall it was decent, but from all the "hype" I've read about A Serbian Film, it just didn't come through and disturb me the way it could have. The first half of the film is pretty good and the acting also quite good, but then it just descends to shock after shock that you can see coming and the black humour reinforces the polished aspect. I actually burst out laughing during the skull fuck/eye fuck scene.

Sheesh, get out of my thoughts. You couldn't be more right if you tried.

Still i thought despite all its flaws the movie pulled through and it was a pretty damn entertaining film. I liked it a lot. Yes the soundtrack was also on point. I bet we won't ever get a good version of this on dvd.

[hellraiser40]

The film got a surprisingly positive review over at Dread Central:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/serbian-film-a-2010

just watched this

without having read this review, i was reminded of Videodrome too like mentioned here

it was actually well made with good acting

at times i was asking "ok, are you just showing fucked up shit or do you actually mean something with this?" but i got some points that it was trying to say

the most disturbing scenes are of course those involving the sex(ual violence) with/towards the newborn and our anti-hero's own son => they must have some really loose laws regarding children in movies seeing how the latter was shot

[Ash28M]

Wow.. what can you say about the film. Given the subject matter I was almost hoping I wouldn't enjoy it but man I just can't deny how well made this film was. From the cinematography to the acting to the score to the general feel of discomfort it leaves the viewer. It has such a nightmarish quality to it that I did not expect. The August Underground films aren't even in the same league as this movie if you ask me.

[MorallySound]

Here's a review my friend wrote which echoes my sentiments:

http://reeltoreelradio.blogspot.com/2010/07/serbian-film-movie-for-his-whole-family.html

[Criswell]

ehhhhh Looking at the Trailer it looks ok, but like 8mm the whole art for art's sake excuxe implied (alone with pretentious director) is just dull now.

IF! a snuff industry existed it would be purely for $$$$$$. Nothing else.

[The Chaostar]

Saw this.

You know, years ago philosophers would fill thousands of pages on nihilism. Analysis with a depth of thought 4130989130849013 miles wide. Now, films like this, what do they have to say? "All is shit, fuck it". Nihilism for illiterate 13 year olds. The nihilism of TCM (original) is deeply rooted in society and has a lot of things to say. Films like that, are pure shit.

[Hatchetwarrior]

This film was deprived, disgusting, mean spirited and full of hate.... but call me crazy because I think it was one of the better genre films to come out this year. Well acted and directed for a film of this subject matter, and yes, if it were filmed in vein of the August Underground films it would be twice as fucked up. Not since Martyrs has a horror film really grabbed my attention the way this one has. By no means is A Serbian Film on the same level as Martyrs since it doesn't have the same or equivalent thought provoking, existential questions as that film. But in turns of shock value and pushing the boundaries of taste, A Serbian Film will probably still comfortably in my top ten horror films for the year.

Rating: 7.5/10

[marcx]

Saw this with a few folks the other day--we all ended up feeling pretty scarred b it--Not something I am looking to revisit any time soon but let's face it--it is well made, powerful, and disturbing...

I think there is more to a point to it then it is being given credit for--I think it is speaking indirectly about it's Serbian origins....

[The Tall Man]

I had the (dis)pleasure to watch this not long ago. It was recently refused classification here in Australia even after being cut (http://www.refused-classification.com/news/2010/12-07-a-serbian-film-behind-the-rc-rating.html) <--(spoilers) to shreds !

The version I obtained was uncut, and I can honestly say it shocked me. I was not prepared for this movie to be as graphic as it was. Would probably be the most controversial movie of the last decade easily. One of those movies that doesn't need a second viewing as the scenes are not easily forgotten. I still don't think this movie would sit under the horror category. In fact, I dont think there is a category for this type of movie.

[Zombie Dude]

I don't think I'm game enough to watch this. Out of curiosity though, someone mentioned this being a snuff film. So what in this film is real? Deaths or violence or is it fake?

[Ash28M]

I don't think I'm game enough to watch this. Out of curiosity though, someone mentioned this being a snuff film. So what in this film is real? Deaths or violence or is it fake?

Nothing about it is real.

[Zombie Dude]

Nothing about it is real.
Cool, thanks for that.

[dave13]

not bad. glad i saw it. i thought the baby scene, which i'd heard so much about, was so over the top it was laughable. i can't really understand how people can be so bothered by it. i'd liken it to someone trying to insult you by saying "i fucked your mom!" clearly, if that person had actually fucked your mom, you'd be incensed. but the very concept is so ludicrous, you really can't be offended by it. the scene with his son, on the other hand, was definitely pretty damn disturbing, just by virtue of one or two particular shots. it was viscerally very upsetting, but pretty predictable though. as soon as you see the set-up, its pretty obvious what's going on. also, the final shot and line of the movie made me laugh.

[Criswell]

WEll i downloaded this today and i gottas say i 'enjoyed' it.


Its completely allegorical as a comment on the social situation on the Balkan area so it made perfect sense, though at times a little heavy handed and obvious.

If the critics are to laud Salo, then this deserves the same analysis.

[Damage]

Just finished watching this tonight and have to say I thought it was very good, albeit messed up. The underlying theme of being entertained by the exploitation of a victim, whether on a comedic level or sexual or pain or death, is one of the most dismal yet common characteristics everyday people have. Just watch an episode of America's Funniest Videos or Tosh.0 and you'll see all sorts of victims being hurt for your entertainment. This film hones in on this quality, exaggerates and magnifies it, and shows it's ugly underbelly to the extreme. Choosing Serbia as the backdrop sets the perfect stage as the country still feels the scars of the war that tore Yugoslavia apart back in the 90s. This film is based on blatant shock value but I believe it is trying to make a point by holding a mirror to society, illustrating that when the show's over and we've moved onto the next thing, there are real people out there being exploited for our sake and in most cases we couldn't care less. It's an ugly, difficult film to watch and yet it was well-shot with decent acting and one that I'll be thinking of for awhile.

[dave13]

there was some mention on the digital bits last week of this getting a region 1 blu ray release. or it might have been dvd. but the film is getting an american release soon.

[DeathDealer]

Although I saw a mostly uncut version of the film earlier this year, it was still cut. I want to know when an official UNCUT release will happen.

While I don't champion the film to any degree, there are some fascinating things going on in it.

For the truly hardcore, one viewing is essential. For everyone else, stay very far away...