A &*%$ hectic film
When everyone (including seasoned horror critics reviewing the film) tells you not to watch something, and reviews include descriptions like ‘rape of the soul’, you know it’s a) going to be hectic and b) something you have to watch, despite the warnings. A Serbian Film is one such movie.
Directed by Srdjan Spasojevic, this avant garde horror makes all the Saw and Hostel type of American torture porn flicks look like Disney – it really is that insane. Some are less affected than others, but the fact remains – this movie takes the genre to a completely OTT level. If you are in any way squeamish, or you can’t handle the hardcore stuff, do not even try and watch this. Even with a pretty good plot, with plenty of warped twists, good acting, beautiful camera work and an ominously awesome soundtrack, you cannot get away from the fact that A Serbian Film is a dark, violent and deeply disturbing movie. The director aimed to bring home a strong message about the Serbian climate, saying, “This is a diary of our own molestation by the Serbian government… It’s about the monolithic power of leaders who hypnotize you to do things you don’t want to do. You have to feel the violence to know what it’s about.”
Many critics argue that it’s more about shock value and overkill, while some agree that maybe it is about symbolism. After managing to sit through this fairly long movie (including the last hour, which is pretty much 60 minutes of gore, violence and sheer insanity), I honestly don’t know what to say. That something like this could come out of Serbia is quite something, that it has some of message, I don’t know… but what I can say is that much like Itchi the Killer has made me sit up and take notice of Japanese horror, A Serbian Film has made me realise just how little mainstream cinema really understands the genre.
If you can handle it, and you want to see one of the most disturbing movies on the planet (really, this will be the convo topic for weeks to come among my friends who’ve seen it), then go ahead and watch A Serbian Film. But do yourself a favour and read the reviews (at home!) before assuming you know what you’re in for… some parts are really not safe for ANYWHERE, let alone work.
You have been warned.
Eeee as intrigued as I am, I may not have the stomach for this!
It’s pretty icky in some bits, I sat with my hands over my eyes a lot of the time, hehe.
I will watch it and I hope I am not disappointed, Hostel was one of the biggest let downs ever, so over-hyped, for me there can never be something too gruesome etc. Thanks for bringing it to my attention
I haven’t watched a decent horror in years, everything is so fluffy for me. my last bf is a serb, he is cuckoo – but in an immature weird way lol, I will tell him to watch it, then I will have to hear for the next 10 years how serbia made the best horror film in history, coz according to him Serbia is simply the best at everything, so annoying 
Was on holiday for a month, now I’ll resume my occasional commenting
Hostel was kinda lame – this is very well shot, and a lot more brutal… there is a fair bit of hype of course, and maybe it’s not quite the end of all humanity, but still a pretty hectic movie.
See it and let me know what you think – also want to hear what your BF has to say!
P.S. Hope you had a fab holiday.
From what you told me, its pretttttttttttty siff….give me the happy endings any day! Last night was awesome! Mangorita’s baby…
It’s hardcore, actually almost forgot how bad it was til I was telling you about it, hehe.
And mangoritas are my new bestest thing after espresso and Patron. Love them.
noooo, last bf as in the most recent but he’s my ex, errrr he’s nuts but we still stay in touch
the war must have messed up all their heads lol, my sister was engaged to a croat who was standing next to a guy who stood on a bomb and was blown to bits.
anyways I told my friend to download it and give it to me when he has a chance, and I will definitely tell you what I think.
Aaah, sorry – brainz not fully functional lately!
Serbs do seem rather intense, and judging by the way they do horror movies, they are hardcore too!
You sound like a horror fan like me, so you should find this worth a watch. I’m going to watch Antichrist soon too, think that one will be awesome – very very art house and spooky, looks like a twisted fairy tale for grown ups!
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I have seen this movie last night…There is only few words i can tell..This is the most sickening movie I have ever seen..Even now 24 hours later i can’t get it out of my head…
It’s pretty hectic hey!
I had to watch back to back episodes of 30Rock after I watched it, that seemed to help a bit. After watching Martyrs however, I have to say that although Serbian Film is still one of the most shocking movies I’ve seen, I think that Martyrs was more hectic in many ways.
Crazy that we actually watch this stuff!