The Skin I Live In: tricked-up film about identity change misses some deep lessons about obsession, control and revenge
Pedro Almodóvar, “The Skin I Live In / La Piel Que Habito” (2011) Georges Franju’s sci-fi
Tag: Horror
Antichrist: inquiry into misogyny and battle between rationality and Nature
Lars von Trier, “Antichrist” (2009) Highly controversial for its depiction of sexual violence and mutilation,
French and French-language Films
Blood of the Beasts: horror, death, poetry and beauty co-exist in slaughterhouse
Georges Franju, “Le sang des bêtes” / “Blood of the Beasts” (1949) An amazing if
Where Evil Dwells: superficially slight and crude slasher flick packs a heavyweight wallop
David Wojnarowicz and Tommy Turner, “Where Evil Dwells” (1985) Loosely based on an actual American
Rabbit’s Moon: two very different films in mood and themes in spite of superficial similarities
Kenneth Anger, “Rabbit’s Moon” (started 1950: long version 1972, short version 1979) Based on a
Din of Celestial Birds: exploration of evolution and development of consciousness in short film
Edmund Elias Merhige, “Din of Celestial Birds” (2006) Astonishing little film – it’s just 10
Amalgam: no-budget home movie is surprisingly complex in plot and visual effects
Craig Murray, “Amalgam” (2007) Using just a handycam and his own home as set to
Begotten: film explores Christian and pagan myths of fertility in cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Edmund Elias Merhige, “Begotten” (1989) A remarkable student film that explores Christian and pre-Christian creation
Zoetrope: Kafka short story inspires a film about how science, industry, bureaucracy and politics oppress a victim
Charlie Deaux, “Zoetrope” (1999) Based on my favourite Franz Kafka short story “In the Penal
Italian and Italian-language Films
Salo or the 120 days of Sodom: gruelling film of corruption, unfettered freedom and abuse of power that turn humans into machines
Pier Paolo Pasolini, “Salò or the 120 days of Sodom” / “Salò o le 120