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Since I watch so many films, I find it rather difficult to get all too excited. That said, there are still occasional rumblings. The one-off social media posts, the chatter in the background that is positive. At times, it is for the expected nation-wide releases, while other times, those rumblings are for the underground releases that are probably on their journey to some sort of a cult status. I feel like that very well could happen to Takashi Hirose’s Brutal.
That sure does not sound like much, does it? But do not worry. With its awful synopsis, Brutal has me intrigued for way more.
Brutal is divided into three equal-length sections, each lasting 1 hour and 6 minutes. It’s rather free flowing. It does not relent either, for the violence starts right away in the very first scene, where ‘Man’ is mercilessly beating some freshly uncovered victims. As the movie progresses, it somehow manages to be unrelenting right after the critical violence, for there are even more scenes of brutality inserted throughout.
I was unable to contain my self as flashbacks from other movies, like Nathan Hynes and Chris Power’s documentary from 2007, Long Pigs, or the bizarre killer Philip movie, Henry: Portrait, popped into my head. Nonetheless, I can still conclude that Brutal is a whole other beast.
There’s more nuance to it, and while you may feel some of these elements from other films, there is another narrative at hand. He is examining a serial killer’s mind, that thought process, and Takashi Hirose has quite successfully constructed this work. It is shorter than most feature films we’ve become accustomed to, but it does not fail in assaulting the viewers’ senses in that short time that it is allotted.
The cinematography is executed quite impressively and the added effect of pops and crackles, rather similar to the ones we had in 70’s and 80’s horror movies shot on 35mm is not very essential, but it offers a pleasing aesthetic. It isn’t really necessary, but the filter helps create the mood that we are almost certainly already feeling as the heinous acts are performed before us.
Brutal turned out quite different from what I anticipated, but I am actually very happy about that. It does have an approach which is distinctive and there is definitely more depth to it compared to most independent filmmakers. Bravo to Takashi Hirose for making a great film, one that is oh so brutal, but also beautiful.
Brutal is out right now on Blu-ray courtesy of Unstructured Films; Make sure you buy one to help this extraordinary director and any future works that he might do. This is one that you do not want to miss… believe me!
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