Back Against the Wall

Wow. This film blew me away! I was a fan of James Fotopoulos from "Zero" and "Migrating Forms", but this takes things to a whole new level. Basically, this an art film, but more in the Eraserhead vein. Employing beautiful black and white 16mm photography with a bizarre, noisey soundtrack and some abstract images, the film slowly (probably too slowly for most people) unravels layers of a lingerie model and the corrupt people she deals with. Just a beautiful film, structurally, thematically, with some truly shocking and chilling imagery handed out in small doses, not to mention a few scenes of beauty (love the constant shots of the seagull flying on the shore). Brought a tear to my eye. In a day and age where idiot hacks like Guy Maddin are put up on pedestals while people pretend to know what "art film" means, this guy is doing something completely fresh and intelligent and DIFFERENT. This is one filmmaker to watch, especially if you're into cinema that is a bit different than the norm, and I think he needs to be supported. No-budget film-making at its finest!

Back Against the Wall is a startling piece of work, perhaps a calling card for a new cult hero. essentially an exploration of intersexual power relationships, the films glacial shift from mundanity to horror is consummately achieved: the dialogue is sparse, the monochrome film stock pockmarked and meal-textured, the camera almost invariably fixed in one of a scant few locations, the score composed of wavering tape loops, enviromental sound, prepared piano and claustrophobic electronic emissions.

it all adds up to something entirely fresh- a sickeningly disturbing example of the power of minimalism, the subconscious, and the unseen.

certain to divide opinion as starkly as possible, unmissable for aficianados of "other" cinema.