Im Keller

When it comes to "In The Basement" - If Austrian director, Ulrich Seidl was actually trying to prove to the viewer that his fellow citizens were, indeed, all a bunch of imbeciles, then, yes, he certainly achieved his desired goal, commendably.

I mean, had even one of these certified kooks been shown doing something inspiring, or interesting, or worth remembering down in their basements, then I wouldn't have formed such a negative perspective of Austrian people, as a whole, while watching this documentary.

But Seidl sure put these people in an unfavourable and dislikable light.

And, on top of that - I can't believe that these apparently "regular citizens" actually agreed to expose their stupid side to the general public, as they did..... Like, if their neighbours didn't already know about the nonsense that went on in these peoples' basements - Well - They certainly do now.

To be honest here - Since this wasn't a "hidden camera" production, and since these people knew that all this "odd" activity of theirs was being filmed - I think that, for the most part, all of this quirkiness was, in fact, pretty much staged for effect and overall shock-value.

IN THE BASEMENT, Ulrich Seidl goes downstairs and finds creepy dolls, Nazi man caves, cock and ball torture and gives viewers a tour of the private hobbies practiced. Seidl continues his studies on taboos, social boundaries, the human soul's darkness and his beloved Austria. It benefits from a truly intelligent scenario which uses the form of the fable to give the spectator a complex social discourse. Between taboo and philosophy, the story follows the different things people do in there basement. Under the basement, Im Keller is a documentary film eyeing on different experiences, but also symbolizes here in a threatening way. I enjoyed the film's extremely mannered style. When characters are being "good," the acting is melodramatic, but when they're in the basement it's weird, they're often incoherent and loud, or the film heightens the viscerality.

This is a sort of documentary about various people in their basements. I say sort of because some of this movie is obviously staged. Plus in the end credits are listings for Foley (Sound Effects) artists & editors so some sound effects were added after filming.

There are no real run-of-the-mill basements & people here. All are in Austria. One is an adult woman that plays with a doll as if it's a real baby. Another is a man that's basement is full of Nazi & Hitler memorabilia he's very proud of and is also a musician and has his bandmates over. Two of those people were fired from their jobs after appearing in this film. Another man has a gun range and teaches a gun class. Then there are several separate Master/Mistress & Slave basements & participant. They show some of their play. There are a few scenes that are just people standing/sitting still in their basements, usually looking like deer in the headlights.

Yes a lot but not all is interesting. Yes a lot but not all is weird. But some things are a bit too much. Not everyone will like this movie. Not everyone will hate it. So I can neither recommend or dissuade from watching.

'IN THE BASEMENT': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

An Austrian documentary flick; about people, hanging out in their basements, and giving into very perverse obsessions (and demented fetishes). The movie was directed by Ulrich Seidl, and it was written by Seidl and Veronika Franz. I had a chance to see it at at the OSU International Film Festival (at the Darkside Cinema, in Corvallis, OR), but I missed it. I instead recently caught it on Netflix; and I almost wish I hadn't.

The film starts out somewhat normal; as it just follows odd people around, doing strange things in their basements. As it goes on, though, the documentary gets weirder and weirder. I wanted to stop watching it, several times, but persisted (so I could do this review). It's only 82 minutes long, but it seems a lot longer (and it's a very painful 82 minutes)!

The movie is one of those films, I really wish I could unwatch. It's one of the most disturbing experiences, I've ever had (watching a film of any kind); and I love movies! I also thought I liked domineering women (and femdom fantasy), but I realize (after watching this documentary), that the real thing is definitely not for me (maybe just in role-play). Which is another reason I wish I could 'unwatch' this movie; it ruined my fantasy for me (at least for the time being)! It's well made, and serves it's purpose 'very effectively' though; at being a completely 'F'd up' film!

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If you aren't familiar with Ulrich Seidl's work than this may not be the film you should start with. I am a big fan of course, so I may be biased.

What I love about his work is probably what many people don't like. You're never too sure if what he is showing is reality or something he created. Some of his films are real documentary and some of them are fiction. But which is which? They all feel similar and all have a similar tone. They are psychological and deep, they leave you wondering about different life situations (Bukowski fans take note).

"Wonder", this was the original intent of cinema, to leave an audience wondering. But a simple Buster Keaton film won't do the trick anymore and if CGI and explosions are your thing, Seidl won't be your thing either.

This brings us to the "actors" and this is where Seidl is making art. No big name actors, not even expensive actors, but the reality is there, it sucks you in piece by piece. Where does he find these people? That alone is an incredible talent, if they aren't actors in the traditional sense of the word. Each one is a deep character unto themselves. Are they actors or are they real people? You'll get dizzy thinking about it.

I recommend starting with "Import / Export" or "Models", then you'll know if Seidl is your thing. If you have a hard time with some of the off-beat realities of real life, or a hard life, you should look elsewhere. It's not horror, but is a bit of shock.

I'm grateful for Seidl because very little cinema moves me anymore in the way that he does. I hope he never stops.

This is art house cinema for the modern age folks.

8 out of 10 stars plus another because it's Seidl.