How many here, have actually seen...?
 

A Serbian Film?

It's viewed as pretty controversial on account of some of the content, implied or otherwise - to the point there seems to be a large portion of people completely unwilling to even watch it.

I saw it a year or two back, downloaded - far as I know it's not available for purchase here.

Now, it's disturbing, a little sickening, but also quite chilling and gruesome in both the ideas raised, and the overall storyline and motivation of the "villains" and how/why they set things up.
I thought it was very atmospheric, and an actually horrific film, I actually don't see that very much.

The plot wasn't overly strong, but serviceable.
But yeah overall the mood, the score, the atmosphere, and the lasting impression this film left with me immediately after watching and even now a couple of years later, makes it a rather big accomplishment in my book. It made me feel icky.
It ticks all the boxes for me for what I want in horror quite well though.

For those that haven't seen it on account of the content they've heard about.
We all know what it was, no need to bring it up.
All I can say is that content is more implied that anything, with a very brief flash of something that looks quite unrealistic.
I feel like this scene was purely added for shock value and to be talked about...so they succeeded there, but maybe also turned a few people from their creation with it. I'll just say, they don't linger on the scene and it only really serves a feeling of malice towards the villains.
My suggestion is check the movie out all the same.
I say this, knowing that I haven't wanted to watch it since...very few movies effect me this way, but I feel like therein lies some of the value of the experience.


So how many people here have seen it? Your thoughts?
Thoughts from those who haven't/wont?

For my take, I find things like cannibal holocaust with the animal deaths etc a little more disturbing.
Both, but one more than the other.

I have not seen it. Mostly, I don't go for movies that are disturbing. Same with slasher films. Not my cup of tea. I guess you could say I'm old school. I prefer "monsters" like Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, Frankenstein, etc.

I didn't think it was very disturbing. It just had some shocking scenes. I thought Inside was much more disturbing than this because it was consistently gritty and had such a thick atmosphere, not to mention the whole pregnancy thing, that it had a really lasting effect on me. Although it was well made, I would never watch it again.

Yep, I've seen it.

Hard to watch at times but always powerful and done with a ton of energy.

I dont suggest this film to ANYONE, but it has nothing to do with the quality. I liked the movie and thought it showed the filmmakers talents in myriad ways, but the subject matter is far from what many horror fans are looking for in a movie. This is a study (often a condemnation) of Serbian politics, family dynamics in the embattled country and the pornographic film industry. Again, not the usual tropes and themes one comes across in the average thriller chiller. These themes are slammed into your face through some of the most hyper-shit relentless scenes I've seen on film and I have to say, it can be very impressive in it's breathless need to show you how much pain a people and a land can suffer. It's filled with broad metaphors, packed with hard visuals and in my opinion, it succeeds in making the viewer uncomfortable for all the right reasons.

I think A Serbian Film is a bold effort and a very good, visceral bit of filmmaking. I also think it would offend 9 out of 10 audience members so...if u have an open mind and can appreciate a strong message delivered in some difficult ways, give it a try. Yes, I did have to question the writer and directors approach a time or two, because frankly, some of what is shown or implied here is enough to make a person nauseous, but it never felt exploitative in any way to me. It just felt filthy, and painful and depressing and heart breaking to me..and I have to cheer for any artist whose work can make me feel these things and feel them deeply, while giving us a look at a life and a world we aren't usually exposed to, and dont want to be!

That said, DONT WATCH IT! Honestly, this flick is NOT for everybody, or even for...well, almost anybody, LOL. The movie makes us look at some incredibly difficult subjects and does so with a purpose, and in the process of doing so, they lay a lot of heavy sh"t on the audience. If you are up for it, have a watch,,,but remember, I told you to STAY AWAY!!

I can pretty well echo hammer's sentiment except that I don't mind slasher films from the 80's. Its like that old saying "You can't un-ring a bell". And you can't "un-see" these movies so I'd rather just not watch it. I used to always think "Christ, what if that happened to my child or grandchild". I just couldn't stop thinking about it. And that's just from reading bits and bobs about these movies online!

I'll have to revise my statement about slasher films - I do like the films from the 80s....just not the recent ones. Like Hostel, Saw, etc.

Agree with cheeba & Repo, liked it too. A well handled cruel trip to the extreme human deprivation, helplessness & pain; a total uncomfortable experience of horror that possibly deeply embedded in each & every modern society. I've seen it only once and definitely won't mind to revisit it in the future.

I haven't seen it, haven't read much about it besides its a popular film for people who like horror films. Its i'm my list to get to see eventually, no other reason why not. I have the sense its torture porn, but might be better than that. Shrug. Eventually...

Haven't seen it. Just can't be bothered with it.

I wouldn't call Hostel and Saw slasher films. They're just bloody.

Hatchet comes to mind. Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon.
And Dude Bro Party Massacre 3. You should check out the last one.
You might like it.

For me that's even more of a reason to watch, so I don't stay in a bubble. Reminds me I also need to see Martyrs. Sometimes I need to feel disturbed and horrified by real things. Fantastical horror movies do not make me feel that way, generally. Its more often something like the rape scene in Boys Don't Cry that fucks with my head. Or how emotionally and mentally exhausting Inland Empire is.

Also I think its probably why usually I do not like films pre 1970. The might be about hard subjects, but they way they are presented is too distant from the reality. I rarely experience it.

I'm the same, sort of. It has to be a very good slasher from the 80's for me to like. Wanted to comment specifically about Saw. I haven't rewatched it since I saw it in the theaters. But from what I remember it was an excellent film. I haven't enjoyed two others(2nd and 3rd I think) in the series. The original was intense and simple. Two decent actors in a small room trying to find a way to stay alive with a lot of confusion and terror. An intensity that was well done and, for me, felt. The others felt too much like bad game shows/reality tv.

Right there with ya, Hammer.

Beautifully made film. I've seen it many times and own it. Some scenes are shocking but I have seen way more disturbing films since searching underground. I feel in no way that this film was made for shock value, it told a story. A sad sick story and this was presented wonderfully on screen. Its a 10/10 film for me.

You should check out its serbian partner, Life and Death of a Porno Gang, it came out the year after. Brutal and disturbing but again amazing cinema.

I would agree and say that it was refreshing that it wasn't made just for shock value like the Human Centipede series. It's like a more extreme version of Oldboy.

seen it a dew times, first time relatively shocked, since then kinda desensitised to it. It is pretty cheap from what i remember, however i can see why many people would find it disturbing and an unpleasant films. Personally i am a fan of these kind of films, though they can be very mentally draining, and you can feel 'extra cheated', as such, if you immerse yourself in one and it turns out to be rubbish or heavy to the point where it becomes a drag rather than 'entertainment' as such.

Ditto. that's another good one indeed. At the end it turned out quite a sad story also.

Few months back I saw the direct-to-video German flick Cannibal (2006), which I found far more disturbing as well as disgusting than A Serbian Film & Porno Gang.

I have to admit that I do like to dabble into the underground movies, found many on YouTube before they were deleted.

With that statement, I don't see myself buying them (except for Headless) because I usually only want to watch them once and that's it for me.

Serbian had a very sad sense to me and the ending was something that I have never been able to get out of my head....yikes!!

If you like to just dabble into these type of movies, give it a try. If these types of movies really get to you, than don't watch it. There are two scenes that truly test your emotions and make you feel icky.

I find myself enjoying gore and shock value but there are those few that just push it over the line for me and this film was one of them.

I have the soundtrack as my ring tone :-)

I love the soundtrack too! What's so frustrating about this movie is that it's so well made and thrilling, but it's so depressing and dark that I don't want to watch it again. Not really disturbing, just emotionally draining.

CALL ME CRAZY but im not a fan of pedophiles even if it is fake that shit was nasty and who the fuck said YEAH thats a great idea lets do that! lol just noo.....and the fact that that kid had to "act" either way hes too young to be asking about masturbation that really bothered me. tv or not.. too much.

Yep, this is one of the many "disturbing" horror films that I purposefully avoid (along with Salo, Irreversible, Cannibal Holocaust - I'm not even sure if I'll be able to work up the nerve to see Antichrist ever) - I just know that it will disturb and really really upset me. I cried at Martyrs. Ok, might not seem like a big deal because I actually cry a lot at movies, but with Martyrs I CRIED OUT OF UTTER DESPAIR. I've never cried out of DESPAIR before and honestly some of those images kept me up for a week after watching it.

And just to clarify - There's no judgement on my end toward these disturbing films, the makers, or the people who watch them - You guys know that I love to pore over your reviews and feedback so that I can live vicariously through you and view them through your eyes... Just can't do exploitation, rape, torture (nope, can't watch Last House or I Spit On Your Grave either).

Dare I ask what is "way more disturbing"? BTW - Love your sig!

But Last House is so good!