Sunday, August 21, 2011

Deadgirl

Directors: Marcel Sarmiento & Gadi Harel
Writer: Trent Haaga
Released: 2008
Labels: Thriller|Zombie|2000's


Two teenage tearaways, J.T. and Ricky, make a startling discovery deep inside an abandoned mental institution - the body of a young woman naked and tied up. Not only that, but she is also one of the un-dead. J.T. decides that this is a good opportunity to get some "free-pussy'", Ricky remains unconvinced by this idea, however both agree to keep her a secret, but for how long?.............




After looking at various responses and reactions to Deadgirl, it is clear that it totally polarizes opinion (in fact here at HMF we were divided by this flick). There are some that view this as just a roughly made, sick-minded, exploitation piece and others that regard it as a compelling study in human nature when faced with an (im)moral dilemma. 

There's no doubt that some of the scenes are pretty disturbing and you do feel like the film excuses this by presenting the girl as "already dead" but nevertheless she is still a young woman. Watching the teenagers acting in such a savage way is hard to stomach at times, but your distaste is directed more to the low moral character of the young men themselves rather than their indecent acts (and this, it seems, is the filmmakers intention).

The same degree of emotional interest could have been created without so many scenes of nudity or molestation, so it is gratuitous to some extent. The bad guys' actions do not go unpunished, but the final twist makes you wonder if any of it was worth it.

It's not a bad film and its intentions are well above being just another piece of "torture-porn". The atmosphere is heavy with teenage angst and small-town claustrophobia (reminded us of Donnie Darko for that). The acting is good (quite a few of those, "I'm sure I've seen them before" faces in the cast) and as far as for a low budget independent film it's visually great.

There's a lot in Deadgirl to set you thinking, but there will definitely be some who just can't wait to forget it.






Deadgirl (Unrated Director's Cut)




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