Gorehounds Unite!

Strange Circus is the most recent film by the director of  "Suicide Club" Sion Sono. And anyone whos has seen his previous offering knows somewhat to expect in this follow up.

 This is a film that defies any sort of explanation so this is going to be one of the harder films for me to review. The synopsis above is about the closest I can give you as far as explaining the plot to you.

 I also feel that I have to tell you that if you are easily offended this is not the movie for you to check out....It delves into child molestation, incest, Bondage,transexuality, amputations and imprisonment. Not exactly your average everyday sit down with the family type of film.

 Now if your a fan of films that push the boundries of good taste as well as a fan of good cinema in general......well then you owe it to yourself to search this film out immediatly as it is something I think any true cinephile will drool over!

 I know this will sound really strange being that the subject matter is so risque......But watching each scene of this film play out and unfold is like observing a classic artist painting a blank canvas, The image gets more clear and beautiful with each brushstroke.

 It really was amazing to me just how beautiful the imagery is in this film and how the subject matter was handeled. I cant think of any other modernday director taking this type of subject matter and being able to add beauty and a humanity to the story and it's characters.

 I do want to expand on the statement I made above.......All the characters in this film are pretty much the most unlikeable characters you will ever meet in a film...They lie cheat and steal, they all have motives beyond whats shown, as well as have committed dispicable and evil things not only to themselves but those around them. Its amazing to me the amount of feelings this film hits on....I went from being offended, to being sick to my stomach, to being excited, back to being sick, then remorse, then pity. It's just so well crafted and well done that you feel everything the characters are going through....all the way to the end which leaves you feeling spent and exhausted.

 The director somehow manages to give them all depth and a humanity that makes you really hate some of the characters and at the same time feel sorry for them.Add in the beautiful looking set-pieces and locations and the directors mastery of the medium and you have a modern day classic. It doesnt get much better than this......The fact that this film is directed by the same person who did "Suicide Club" which I loved but never really understood as it was more a collection of images placed in the framework of an idea than a truly narrative film impresses me even more!

 If you consider yourself a fan of the film medium you owe it to yourself to seek out and view this disturbing yet beautiful modern masterpiece. This is a film that shows us an unflinching view of child abuse yet doesnt allow you to look away or dismiss it as simply an exploitation film done for the shock value alone, it forces you to look into the depths of humanity and the evil that lies there. Yet as I said before it also makes you look into yourself and examine your values and worth in humanity....And for this it is a film to be reckoned with and deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. This is a film that will stick with you long after youve watched it.......and it will make you do something these bloated hollywood epics never do, and thats discuss the film with friends and fellow fans.

RATING:

5 out of  5 Severed Heads!