Tore tanzt

The slowly unwinding pace of this film can seduce one into a believing not much is happening, but from the outset there's a sinister feel to this film that becomes far more visceral, and disturbing. At times the violence was so calculating and casual it made me physically ill, and wanted to walk away from it. That said, the behavior of the parents, who fed into each others 'evil', reflected for me the explicit desire to dehumanize that which they hate. A feature so evident in the early 21st century. It's not from a genuine failure to reach and understand another's vulnerability, and Tore's is achingly portrayed in this film, painfully so, and the adults ever so casually seek to obliterate it. A day before I'd seen Reggie Yates doco on the experience of the LGBTI community in St Petersberg, and was truly frightened by the casual nature of the brutality, intimidation and violence of 'ordinary' Russians to gay people. The banality of evil indeed.

Definitely I never want to see it again, which I never before thought about a actually well made film by the way, and it feels odd giving this a heart rating but I think this is very well done and provokes the right emotions. It's an unforgiving movie that does not hold back at all. There were many scenes where I really needed to look away, which usually never ever happens for me. It's a film about what happens when you just completely believe in the goodness of humanity. It is harsh, but for sure true. You're gonna get stepped on and you're gonna get messed up. You obviously can't blindly live with some strangers and think, this will all be good, people are such beautiful creatures. No. Surely not. Apparently this is even based on a real story, which in this case makes it even more sad, but I'll need to research this later. How the main character got to that point in his life, slight spoilers ahead, is never explained which I think was a smart choice. Tore tanzt made me sick to my stomach to be honest. It is deeply disturbing and despairing, but it is also a film you should watch anyway. The performances are very good, especially the lead is incredibly great in such a tough role to play. Just be prepared to be in a terrible mood afterwards. I need a palate cleanser flick right now. This film is horrible, but simply looking away from the evil that is happening all around us isn't gonna do any good either.

NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN takes us along with teenage "Jesus Freak", Tore (Julius Feldmeier), who is taken in by a family who aren't what they, at first, appear to be. By contrast, Tore is a genuine, gentle soul who truly believes that God is watching over him. Unfortunately, Benno (Sascha Alexander Gersak) seems driven to prove him wrong.

The best way to describe this film would be quietly disturbing. While there are a few jolts along the way, most of it is peaceful and calm, lulling you into a sense of safety, before drop-kicking you in the guts.

What is astonishing about this movie is that no matter how deeply degrading, even mind-destroying the situation becomes, it somehow ends in an unexpected place. In spite of it being utterly tragic. Tore is an unforgettable character, the only small ray of light in a dark, dismal scenario. Ultimately, this story manages to be more Christian than other, more preachy films. This is because it sticks to grim reality, showing the cost of faith through Tore's willingness to take it beyond all limits...

Going into movies as blind as possible, I often stumble on more misery than I bargain for. Since I had just seen The Snowtown Murders, I probably should have waited a bit longer on this movie. Given how similar they both are in tone and content, if you hated one, you should avoid the other, but if you liked one, definitely check out the other, just give it some breathing room for your own mental health.

Other films I'd put in this camp would be Hounds of Love and to lesser extent The Girl Next Door, though the later has more of a Hollywood sheen to the parts that don't wallow in depravity. The rest opt for a grimy realism that sinks you deeper into the filth of their content.

I often struggle with the merits of this genre though. On one hand, it is an achievement artistically. Between the acting and the authentic way everything is captured, they nail it. I'm fully immersed, I believe what's happening on screen, and I feel really bad about it. There are some interesting themes exploring issues of faith that stay sympathetic while leaning towards a bleak nihilistic outlook. They also pulled off one of the most disturbing scenes I've seen without an ounce of blood, so kudos there.

However, these films are often just this downward spiral of despair with no redemptive ark. As a viewer, you get just as pummeled as the characters, and I'm often left wondering why I do this to myself. I mean, I'm actively making the choice to never watch Slaughtered Vomit Dolls, so I've got to admit there is a line somewhere, I'm just not exactly sure where it is.

I hate when movies say "based on true events" with no further reference. It sometimes comes off as a marketing ploy. Unless and until the movie provides the inspiration material, it's nothing more than pure fiction and nothing else. Now this completely voids the necessity to put that it's based on real events in the first place.