I knew this film would be over-the-top inappropriate. Having been referred to as one of the most disgusting films ever made, I was drawn to it for the obvious reasons. Needless to say, after witnessing this controversial offering, I now understand the claims.
In a nutshell A Serbian Film goes where other films dare not venture. Encompassing a story about an aging porn star and his unknowing involvement in a snuff film showcasing pedophilia and necrophiliac themes, the film challenges your morals - and your stomach.
Scenes involving child rape, molestation, oral sex murder and a supposed new craze referred to only as 'newborn porn' left me in shock. An unfortunate ending had me in complete disarray as I found myself angry with director Spasoevic for allowing his film to get so out of control. Fooling the audience into believing one thing when in reality, a different course of action is taking place is not inventive filmmaking - its lazy and misguided.
At the end of the day I found it hard to understand the logic behind a film like this. While I fully respect and appreciate freedom of speech in cinema, there seemed to be no underlying message within A Serbian Film. While I originally expected it to portray social commentary, large story holes prevented even minor philosophical or metaphorical meaning. From the opening scene to the closing shot, the film is both volatile and unsettling, but never in a meaningful way. I've seen it once and my curiosity has been abated.
