Sunday, October 9, 2011

Dogtooth (2009)

people always say "this film is a tour-de-force, its unlike any other film out there! it will surprise and amaze you!" blah blah blah all that bullshit. but believe it or not, its hard to make a film nowadays without being and having some influence from other films in one's own work. but let me tell you dont trust me or all the critics in the world when they say that DOGTOOTH is by far the most original and superbly made film to come out in a very long time! this 2011 oscar nominated best foreign film has got everything covered from direction, acting, cinematography, story, everything was perfect!

Dogtooth is a 2009 Greek film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos about a husband and wife who go through extensive lengths to keep their children imprisoned on their property from the corruption and dangers of the real world. (usually when i watch a film, i try not to read or see anything about the film before i actually watch it. so you can understand my puzzlement and surprised when i watched the first few scenes)

Unlike most films today, Dogtooth shows that less really is more. With its simple and yet disturbing story, the direction and cinematography is so noticeably clean and sharp that itll leave you bleeding and wanting more! it'll make you laugh out loud, extremely uncomfortable, and just down right petrified to your balls! like michael haneke's style of directing, its the subtlety with the jab of violence that makes his films so effective in getting its message through. But unlike haneke, Dogtooth doesn't have the gritty and cynical undertone but rather carries the film with a cloud filled with an innocent and pristine touch.

Aggeliki Papoulia who plays the eldest daughter shows a riveting and powerful performance that tore the walls of my expectations for the film (not like i had any.) it is a rare moment when any audience gets to witness a performance that is much like a caterpillar coming out of its cocoon. you watch with amazement and wonderment and fear what will come next. rarely does a film ever make one feel uneasy, embarrassed, and proud for the character as if we were a mother who was witnessing their daughter discover their period for the first time.

There are not quite enough words to describe the movie, but would be better understood after experiencing it. and trust me, it is something that must be experienced. A+