L'étrangleur

Saw this on a rented dvd few days back. The trailer n premise was intriguing for me. Definitely for blokes who liked Marshland, Memories of murder n True Detective. It is about a sick n pervert serial killer n also about an innocent man who is put behind bars for the murders. The film explains the actions n consequences of both these men. Warning, this film is very grisly n the necrophiliac scenes r explained in details rather than off screen which i wud have preferred. Also the male rape n torture scenes were too much. I feel the director went overboard with the grisly scenes but he did a terrific job in making a good serial killer film. The night time photography is striking. It is eerie n atmospheric. The direction, acting n cinematography r all good but they needed some work on the editing.

This is a movie based on actual events that occurred in the small town of Martfü (Hungary), circa 1960. A series of grisly murders of young women shocked the community and put the Hungarian Police on red alert. The victims are all brutally strangled and it seems that they were also sexually violated after their death. Initially, a local man, Réti Ákos was arrested and confessed one of the murders, but in the course of time, he was proved to be innocent, another case of false confession. " Strangled" focuses on the investigative procedure from the authorities, detectives, and prosecutor, while at the same time the audience gets to know the identity of the villain relatively early and we watch his moves, all the stalking, and attacks to his new victims. This duality, in terms of narration technique, is effective as far as the level of intensity and suspense is concerned as the viewer is constantly on edge to find out what happens next.

Nevertheless, the film is not a strictly defined police procedural as the director, Árpád Sopsits, allows us to take a glimpse into the workings of the Hungarian justice system at the time. When Réti is exempted from his charges, many people inside the judicial structure find themselves in a vulnerable position as they can even lose their job, something that inevitably influences the current investigation. The main protagonists in Strangled are the detective in charge, Bóta ( Zsolt Anger) and the young, idealistic prosecutor, Szirmai Zoltán ( Péter Bárnai), who carries a tragic personal history and is determined to serve the idea of justice at any cost. I've read a lot of criticism on the performances by the actors, though I think that it is not justified. Perhaps it is not the level of acting that leaves a lasting impression to the audience, but it is nevertheless a decent work by all the thespians.

There are many graphic, violent scenes in the movie and the viewers should be warned in advance that the story involves some pretty disturbing themes like rape and necrophilia. Those who are used to Hollywoodian films of the same genre will be surprised, even shocked, by some of the sequences. Overall, "Strangled" is a bold picture that stands oblivious to many of the genre's overused tropes, a fact that makes it all the more exhilarating and worth-watching. Hungary is a country that has produced several important crime films during the last few years, such as "The Investigator" ("A nyomozó"), "Budapest Noir" , "The Whiskey Bandit" ("A Viszkis"), and others, so it would be wise to check on any new films produced in the country.

Quite a find, this one, shown apparently at the London Film Festival last year, this seems not to have had a theatrical release, outside Hungary. Bleak and disturbing, this is an uncompromising look at what we are told is a true story going back to the late 50s/early60s. There is some attempt to set this horror within the political upsets of the time but I have to say, at least to an outsider, these seem rather unconvincing. Not so the main thrust of this daring film, however, which certainly visits areas not often visited in tales of brutal serial killers. The film begins with great style and carefully composed scenes and ends similarly with beautiful period vehicles and street posters, the rest of the film though is not pretty at all and the harrowing tale is realistically told in dark and subdued lighting with nothing too pretty at all. Very impressive but not an easy watch.

Set in the 60s. It's a true story of a Hungarian serial killer and the case for finding him. Some is so sad because he seems to be killing some girls who consider him a friend. This one is very well done. Loved it.

Because I think , that is the first Hungarian film I've ever watched ! Definitely , well made : really makes you feel , how claustrophobic and vulnerable people were in this particular time and place .