man bites dog

i flipped the channel to the ifc this evening and came across 'man bites dog,' a belgian film from the early '90s. i remember the night i watched this movie, my apartment teeming with friends and acquaintances all somehow on the make, attending the 2nd or 3rd in a series of weeknight get-togethers called "movie night." in fact, i think 'man bites dog,' killed movie night.

before i go further i should mention the mere sight of the trailer i embedded could make you physically ill. 'man bites dog,' is a dark comedy to say the least. it is done in documentary style as a film crew follows a serial killer around various french locales as he goes about his business, some of which is violently killing any number of unsuspecting victims, and rants constantly on his world view, replete as it is with nuggets of wisdom and advice as only a psychopath can deliver.

Benoît Poelvoorde is a juggernaut as benoit, the pianist, philosopher, serial killer whose life rages throughout this mockumentary. the heart of the movie however, is in the perspective and perception of the viewer. i think anyone who watches 'man bites dog,' experiences a moment when they imagine themselves in the scene as a member of the camera crew, intent on filming this man and telling an untold if semi-known story, but crossed by the responsibility of acting against an illness disguised as cult of personality. eventually the film goes off the rails and ventures well beyond the ridiculous as the young filmmakers are either killed or become killers and rapists themselves.

on the other hand, it is just another slasher/cult film, only infinitely more clever than those which seasonally grace the screens of american multiplexes. when poelvoorde and director remy belveaux made 'man bites dog,' on a nearly non-existent budget as student filmmakers, they may have peaked, which is not meant to be a derogatory remark.

in the end 'man bites dog,' is a remarkably inventive movie that demands to be watched, which is an accomplishment in itself.