Divided Into Zero

Titles that are written, produced and directed by the same person are commercially damned from the beginning. Although I wanted to give this film a zero, facts remain that the story is indeed well worth telling. However, production quality of this film robs the story of its possible impact. College films have done better in the FX department. Although Mitch Davis tries vehemently to convince you that he knows the inner workings of a criminal mind, he still doesn't reach it. Not that I have first hand knowledge, but research is valuable tool best tapped for such an endeavor. Mr. Davis seems bent on trying to become the next Tobe Hooper, Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento or even George Romero. When it comes to a subject of the mind more than one (mind) is needed to flesh out a believable story. This movie feels like a whining attempt of Mr. Davis attempting to convince his audience that HE truly knows what drives a man to this kind of self loathing. I am afraid that there are much more better examples (including the independent film makers) of criminal/audience alliances.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most unshakeable visions of hell I have ever encountered. Divided Into Zero rubs in it's bleak logic with a slow, eerie calm. Predictable comparisons with 'Salo' and 'In A Glass Cage' are inevitable and probably justified, but Divided Into Zero is all the more disturbing in that we have only one character during it's 40-odd minutes to attempt any understanding of. In the end, we become as deeply rooted in this soulless man's agony as he is.

Many viewers will be incapable of absorbing it's uncompromising graphic sensibility, with long shots of self inflicted razor punishment, piss drinking, and child murder. Those who do, however, will have a part of themselves forever changed.

Whether this is a good thing or bad thing, I can't say, and don't feel is very important, ultimately. The film offers vitality, anger, and extreme images that have more purpose, more INTENT, than simple minded shock value.

It's true cut-throat cinema.

A remedy...not only for mediocre filmgoing, but for any unaffirmed need to see your own taboos brought to life in color, screaming.

Director Mitch Davis has created a truly wonderful breakthrough in contemporary horror with "Divided Into Zero". The film is unlike anything I have ever seen. Although very graphic depictions are illuminated (especially in comparison to today's screen culture), the film does NOT leave you with a nausea. Rather, the film leaves you with a haunted, yet highly inspired state of mind, as the viewer is engulfed in a true work of art. The direction takes the viewer on a journey through avant-garde, art, horror and and the honesty of a one of a kind maverick filmmaker. This film is truly unlike any others in the genre. The cinematography is brilliantly conducted as is the sound design and performances. What I really loved about this film is the all out disregard for belonging to any psarticular genre. Fans of contemporary horror cinema will not be able to catagorize this film very easily and experimental filmmakers and enthusiasts will definately not be able to box the film up into a particular "movement" in today's art and film circles. Lets all hope that more great art-horror films that push cinema into the extreme and present an honesty of humanity, continue through the maverick kind that is Mitch Davis.

When a gore fan tries to make a movie ...

This short movie is pointless. Horror in movies illustrate problems or issues in life using surreal images of violence and tension. Divided into zero only shows gore for gore. It's a very personal movie from director Mitch Davis who also works at the Montréal film festival FANTASIA. He probably tried to reunite all his favorite gore scenes from other movie. Being a cinephile before a filmmaker, the graphic part of the movie was probably is most important concern. He says about the movie that it was a tough part of his life. As far as we can understand from his movie, he needed to illustrate nothing but mostly explode with rage. If you want to see someone's twisted mind ... believe me, his is not interesting at all.

Divided into Zero is as far away from Hollywood as cinema can get. It's a bleak and surreal tale of a man cut at birth during his Caesarian delivery and who then becomes obsessed with razorblades, bodily fluids, and for some reason, kids. I got the movie, like most, as a bonus film on the Subconscious Cruelty DVD (I actually got the limited edition bluray but the quality isn't any better than the DVD so don't bother with it) and it's certainly in the same vein as the main feature. Both films seem almost experimental in their running and the content would probably shock most movie goers if they stumbled across them by mistake, so if you're not up golden showers, seeing a child nailed to a wall with a razorblade in it's mouth, or various cutting of the flesh scenes then stay away. I can't really say I enjoyed the movie, I think it's more about experiencing it, but it's something you sit and watch pondering....wtf?