Man Bites Dog
Title: Man Bites DogRating: 4.5/5
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mockumentary
Starring: Benoit Poelvoorde
Language: French
Released: 1991
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcPhaieTg4o
When we think of serial killers in films, we think of two types of people: cultured, highbrow sickos like Hannibal Lecter and John Doe who go through elaborate schemes to kill people or masked psychopaths like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers who are unstoppable, supernatural forces. "Man Bites Dog" instead gives us Benoit (played by Benoit Poelvoorde), who's just a regular guy who still helps out at his parents shop, hangs out with a lady friend, and does other normal activities for a man in his late 20's. Oh, and he happens to be a serial killer for a living.
Due to Benoit's (Ben to his friends) chosen profession, documentary filmmakers Remy and Andre (played by the films directing/writing team, Remy Belvaux and Andre Bonzel, respectively) have chosen Ben to be the subject of a documentary. And that's where the film begins, with Ben as the subject of a documentary. The film then uses it's premise to explore the link between filmmakers and their subjects and between the media and the violence it covers. At first Remy and Andre don't want to spend any time with Ben, refusing offers to go out to dinner, but soon enough they're helping him hide bodies and worse.
Don't expect nonstop killing, though. Ben also likes to discuss things, whether it's tools of the trade or philosophy. A large portion of the movie is spent talking as the filmmakers get to know their subject better and he gives them his views on love, life, and how to correctly weight a body so it won't float back to the surface.
"Man Bites Dog" is in black and white and was shot for a few thousand dollars, but the lack of a budget aids the premise that you're watching a no-budget documentary. Just don't go in expecting a big budget movie. It's definitely not a film for everyone, so if you find the idea of a graphically violent comedy about a serial killer "repulsive" or "wrong", then this movie is not for you. Otherwise, be ready for one of the most interesting movies to ever come out of Belgium.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mockumentary
Starring: Benoit Poelvoorde
Language: French
Released: 1991
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/wat
When we think of serial killers in films, we think of two types of people: cultured, highbrow sickos like Hannibal Lecter and John Doe who go through elaborate schemes to kill people or masked psychopaths like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers who are unstoppable, supernatural forces. "Man Bites Dog" instead gives us Benoit (played by Benoit Poelvoorde), who's just a regular guy who still helps out at his parents shop, hangs out with a lady friend, and does other normal activities for a man in his late 20's. Oh, and he happens to be a serial killer for a living.
Due to Benoit's (Ben to his friends) chosen profession, documentary filmmakers Remy and Andre (played by the films directing/writing team, Remy Belvaux and Andre Bonzel, respectively) have chosen Ben to be the subject of a documentary. And that's where the film begins, with Ben as the subject of a documentary. The film then uses it's premise to explore the link between filmmakers and their subjects and between the media and the violence it covers. At first Remy and Andre don't want to spend any time with Ben, refusing offers to go out to dinner, but soon enough they're helping him hide bodies and worse.
Don't expect nonstop killing, though. Ben also likes to discuss things, whether it's tools of the trade or philosophy. A large portion of the movie is spent talking as the filmmakers get to know their subject better and he gives them his views on love, life, and how to correctly weight a body so it won't float back to the surface.
"Man Bites Dog" is in black and white and was shot for a few thousand dollars, but the lack of a budget aids the premise that you're watching a no-budget documentary. Just don't go in expecting a big budget movie. It's definitely not a film for everyone, so if you find the idea of a graphically violent comedy about a serial killer "repulsive" or "wrong", then this movie is not for you. Otherwise, be ready for one of the most interesting movies to ever come out of Belgium.
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