Man Bites Dog

[Undertow]

Has anyone ever seen this French mockumentary? If so, what are your thoughts on this film. Personally, it's still ringing in my head even after having seen it a month ago.

I would like to comment on some scenes but I'd like to know who's seen it first.

 

[BellyTank]

**SPOILERS**

Belgian- not French.

I saw it at a Film Festival, when it was new, 1992.

Cruel and funny, some would say very bad taste- it sure has its moments.

It also has some truly hilarious parts.
Remember the part when he describes the weighting of different bodies...?
And then throwing a body off of a bridge, choosing his moment badly and a very long commuter train passing him,
as he's wrestling the body over the guard rail.
Hehe.. and the Film Crew begin to help him...
That's how I remember it anyway. Long time ago now.

I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it so much on the small screen.
Going to the movies is such a ritual.
This is one film I'd like to see again, after 15 years, I might have a different opinion of it.
There have been various edits/extreme censor-ings for the non-European markets and some of the more important/disgusting scenes removed, which must take away from the meaning of the film.

I think the "Foreign language" element of the Film definitely makes for a different viewing experience for the
non-French speaker.


Subversive Film-making at its best?
What are your thoughts?


B
T

 

[Feraud]

I saw this one around 1995-ish and liked it a lot.
Distubing yet hilarious!

 

[Undertow]

I must say, I really enjoyed this movie and I would have put it on my list of favorites if it were not for the rape scene. I won't go into detail about that, I just felt that it could have been left out and the film would have remained brutal and convincing. Please don't get me wrong, I accept and love the film WITH the scene, but it was like a bug on the crystal clear windshield of perfection to me.

Otherwise, I laughed all throughout the movie; I found myself laughing at the fact that I was laughing! For instance, I laughed when the entered the apartment and interviewed that old woman about being lonely. The lead character pulls his gun out and starts screaming about her being in a snuff film and she has a heart attack. So he laughs and explains how he knew she would do that due to her medicine left on the table. Not only did I laugh, but I laughed at how morbid it was just to laugh at that.

In my opinion, great movie and a must see for people who appreciate controversial films.

 

[Woland]

I must say, I really enjoyed this movie and I would have put it on my list of favorites if it were not for the rape scene.

The rape scene is the key to the film in it self.
The film is wonderfully comical and everybody is having a jolly good time watching cruelty after cruelty comitted.
When the film reaches its turning point (rape scene), the laughter short circuits and the popcorn turns stale in your mouth.

Fantastic film.
Taking the audience on a journey into never-neverland using quasi-documentary as the vessel.
Then; Slap! Bang!
You are what you watch...

Good work...

 

[BellyTank]

Nicely put, Woland-
The rape scene is, unfortunately, err.., pivotal.
A parody on film-making.

B
T

 

[Undertow]

You know, I've had a feeling that rape scene was supposed to actually push the veiwer into the uncomfortable, just as you said, but I still disliked it.

And I totally admit, I'm sure that's what the director intended and I applaud the film in that regard.

But I still hated it. Great movie though!!

 

[BellyTank]

Undertow, I think your reaction is probably exactly what was expected by the film makers. Just a little outside the (sliding) comfort zone.


B
T