Antichrist (2009): Damned if you Dont

The Antichrist stars William Defoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as parents that have recently lost their son, in an attempt to grieve they take a trip to a picturesque cabin in the woods (a little too cliché?), both deliver wonderful performances in what is Lars von Triers creepy attempt at horror. The end result is something quite special, not
necessarily in a good way but in a Trier kind of way.

The Antichrist explores themes of evil, nature, feminism and sex. And when I say sex I do mean real I simulated sex. Very few films venture into such a realm, but personally, I can only applaud those that have the bravery to do so. The sex is this used creatively and tastefully, some may say the sexual violence is at times too much, but I think it is used for great effect. Whether that effect is used efficiently enough is certainly questionable, and at times it detracts from the complex and intelligent, Freudian imagery that fills this film, the fox of chaos, being my favourite, nonetheless the sexual imagery gives Antichrist a unique and almost voyeuristic appeal.

All of that said the film also deals with even more controversial issues, that is once you have looked passed all the genital smooshing. Grief, and to be precise, the grief that comes with losing a child, this is what Antichrist really concerns itself with. The biggest
criticism here is that because of the more, shall we say, noticeable elements of this film, the grief is lost and one may even go as far as saying wasted.

In Triers’ mind perhaps the provocative parts of this film somehow emphasise the pain of the loss that the parents feel, but I couldn’t help but find that it both distracted from and complicated what could have been a very powerful and complex idea (complex as in simple yet complex). Is it to say that we are all just too dumb to quite understand the genius that is von Trier? I do not think it is. I just think that this film perhaps took a step too far. That being said is undeniable that Lars von Trier is a true genius of
film, and that is the best reason I can give you to go and watch Antichrist, simply because to understand genius, you must look at the bigger picture, to understand Trier you must look at his work as a whole, and it is phenomenal (even though Antichrist may not be).

Into the Abyss (2011): In and Out Unscathed

To some the prospect of watching a film about a death rowinmate is not all that appealing, and I should start by saying that if thiskind of film does not appeal to you, watch it anyway. Into the Abyss is adocumentary far more concerned with assessing the death penalty, but not in theconventional legal, ethical or even moral way, whilst these subjects are ofcourse covered this film really focuses on the human element.

Werner Herzog directs this piece with the subtlety such asubject requires, yet he also ensures we see and experience the deep emotionsthat both the prisoners and the victims’ families live through. I will not gointo detail about the crime that this film revolves around, needless to say it’stragic and in some way it challenges your perception of what you believe a murdererto be like.

What this film really provides is a balanced account of acrime in which the punishment was death, this allows us as a viewer to make apretty introspective evaluation on the death penalty, and whether we agree withit or not. I will not tell you what I realised about my own views on capitalpunishment, because I think it is important for you to make up your mindwithout any influences. This documentary has some unique features, theinvolvement of the director as a hidden force, the ease in which such controversialtopics are discussed, but most of all the simplicity. There is neither bravado,nor shock tactics, this is real film making around a real single issue, and I thinkthat is brave.  

However, whilst I do applaud this film on many levels thereis a part of me that says, if you look close enough then this film is biased,it is anti-capital punishment, and the director even says so. Yes, such a topicis difficult to balance correctly and this does a superb job, but there isstill a slight shift against the death penalty, which raises the smallestdoubts about this film.

Into the Abyss is a wonderful, insightful blend of great camerawork and what occasionally amount to a superb journalistic piece rather than a documentarywith any real ambition. Instead we get a open book that we are given to readand evaluate of our own accord, it is powerful but it lacks the resoundingimpact that some other films on the death penalty have had, and is some way thatis the films biggest weakness. Dare I say this but this but this may in facthave benefitted from a clear biased, simply for greater impact, but then againwith capital  punishment being thesubject that is, who am I to such a judgement.

      OVERALL RATING: 4 STARS