Director: Paul von Stoetzel
Starring (as themselves): Larry Brubaker, Mark L. Rosen, et al.
MPAA Rating: NR
Running time: 76 min
Venue: part of the “Homegrown Cinema Series” at the amazing Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, MN. Showcasing local and independent film from Minnesota, USA.
What is a snuff film? How prevalent are they? Do they even really exist or are they simply just an urban legend? Maybe you’ve actually seen one and didn’t even know it. Answers to all of these questions and more in Paul von Stoetzel’s new documentary about the legend and history behind what’s commonly known as a “snuff” film.
First of all, what is a snuff film? Although there’s room for debate and argument on the exact definition, which can be interpreted in several ways, the general consensus is that a snuff is any film that depicts a real live human being murdered on screen for the explicit purpose of profit. Some may argue however that a snuff film is any footage of someone being killed – in that loose definition, even something as notorious as the Zapruder film could even be considered snuff. These are some of the types of questions examined in the film.
WARNING: potentially disturbing imagery may follow
The opening title shot of this documentary is a giant red WARNING label in which the film maker’s warn the audience that there is some shocking footage coming up and this film is not for the faint of heart… “and we’re not kidding!” There’s no doubt there. Besides being a standard, “talking heads” style of documentary, it’s also inter-cut with several clips of not only old obscure, controversial films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Faces of Death and Cannibal Holocaust, but also war footage, faked snuff films, news reels and even portions of the journalist beheadings in Iraq. So as the title suggests, definitely “not for the faint of heart.”
The subjects interviewed come from all facets of expertise: police, FBI, film makers, historians, cultural media experts and even producer Mark L. Rosen, who recounts a shocking tale of his encounter with whom he claims were Filipinos trying to market a real snuff film through his distribution firm in the 1970′s. Even the director and crew (in attendance) admitted that Rosen’s story is the lynchpin of their movie and it’s obvious why they say that. Sitting in a dark theater listening to the story is jarring and creepy; and obviously quite emotional for Mr. Rosen.
The movie explores a bit deeper into the realm of snuff films than just the nature of their existance; but also the general psyche of why someone would want to pay for such garbage and the deeper implications of government use of snuff and how violence on film is perceived in general within society. This extends to an examination of the current YouTube generation and the “I’m disgusted but fascinated and can’t look away” mentality of people today.
It’s interesting to listen to the differing opinions and reactions of some of the speakers. It’s also quite fun to see footage of some old b-movies (that I’d never seen or even heard of) that were thought to actually be real (and hence picketed and banned) but are so obviously fake that it’s actually humorous.
The movie goes a little bit off the rails for me for about 10-15 minutes when it heads in the direction of anti-Iraq war preachiness. It’s not blatant or “hit you over the head,” but it’s there none the less and felt a little unnecessary, considering the subject matter of the film – although there is some fairly harrowing/distressing footage of some American soldiers pinned down and under fire.
All in all a fascinating film that although hard to stomach at times, for the most part doesn’t just show bloody footage for the sake of exploitation. It’s attempting to get to the heart of a subject no one wants to talk about it and it’s presented in a manner that’s quite well done. The production value is on par with just about any documentary you might find on a “60 Minutes” special with Mike Wallace for example; specifically the score, which is played out eerily at key moments and adds an extra bit of emotional punch to this already heavy film. If you’re able to deal with some pretty horrific imagery, I think you’ll find a lot to be pleased about with Snuff.
Click “play” to see the trailer:
Links:
Official Site
Myspace Profile
I am a follower of the official definition of what a snuff film is, a murder on film made for profit. So footage you see online all the time and the Iraqi beheadings are not snuff films in that sense. People die in them and in the case of the Iraqi videos were made specifically to show murder, their use however was not to make money of them.
But seeing how the world is today there is almost no doubt in my mind that they exist. I’d be surprised if they didn’t.
Totally unrelated, but I really wish someone could find me an electronic copy of Dennis Heaton’s short film “Head Shot” which is a single take, one-shot film about a guy who thinks he is auditioning for a movie, but it he is actually auditioning for a snuff film, but the guys who are making the film think he is so bad they don’t even want him for their snuff film.
A subject that shouldn’t be funny, is instantly hilarious as the guy tries harder and harder to get the part and the filmmakers hilariously try to talk him out of it.
The director was the co-writer of FIDO. Google/Youtube/etc leave me empty. A shame.
Yeah, I saw that too. It was hilarious.
Swarez, without being too spoilerific, the movie pretty much concludes that Snuff films do in fact exist. Which was my assumption going in.
Hey, Nicolas Cage found one in 8mm. They HAVE to be real.
A fun little fakey-Snuff film thriller is Andrew Waller’s “MUTE WITNESS”
Yes, I remain off topic.
I really liked Mute Witness, too bad that the director utterly destroyed his career with the horrible American Werewolf in Paris.
“Snuff” shows a lot of clips from movies that are supposed to be snuff films. The effects are so obviously fake, but the vibe and feel to the way they’re shot is kind of realistic. Too bad I couldn’t read or take notes fast enough during the closing credits to remember the titles. I’d definitely like to get my hands on a couple of those.
That trailer is CREEPY. And seeing Rosen fall apart like that is disturbing as hell.
I don’t doubt Snuff films exist but I’m curious to check out this documentary. The sad part is that I think it’s played here and I overlooked it.
And Mute Witness…I clearly remember the poster for that movie but I’ve never seen it. Maybe it’ll be a good rental for tonight.
Everyone remembers that poster, it was the first to stitch the lips of the face together (many have used that images since) I had it hanging up in my room at University for a couple years and it always got a comment…
was Mute Witness any good? the poster’s an attention grabber for sure, but i never heard much about the flick itself
Now it’s been many years since I last saw Mute Witness but at that time I really enjoyed it, a tight little thriller. The only thing weak about it was when one of the bad guys falls in to a bathtub and gets electrocuted and we get these horribly cartoony electric thingies all over him.
It does how ever have one of the coolest shots of a car exploding and a guy just barely jumping out of it.
I like mute witness because it is simply an unpretentious solid thriller (see also Ils, Vacancy, etc.) I have a thing for these straight-up suspense cat-and-mouse films. Mute Witness is a solid entry. Haven’t seen the film for years, although i do have the DVD on my shelf somewheres…
Hey, guys — appreciate the positive response to Head Shot. Going to be putting the short online soon, hopefully by the end of May, beginning of June.
Dennis: That is absolutely awesome. Great short film that deserves some more exposure. Kudos on FIDO too.
Hey, Kurt —
Head Shot is now up at Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/5122084
Nice. One of my favorites from Tor. After Dark ’06.