Anatomia do Inferno

As one of the most controversial (or notorious) contemporary directors, Catherine Breillat seems to push her cinematic expression to further extremity in her every new works. However, it must be noticed she was actually preaching the same theme sexual battle in all these movies, only the stories become more and more simplified, instead of which explicit images play the role of supplements to abstract lecturing. Anatomie de L'enfer is unexceptionally the latest development of her filmic experiment to challenge the traditional ideology both on screen and off screen. The movie was mainly shoot in a room, where the actor and the actress talked about sex (and things related) as well as having sex. Through their conversation and the monologue of the director's voice in the background, again the audiences find the same elements from Catherine Breillat¡¯s previous movies¡ªthe contempt, the hatred, the desire to conquer each other between the two sexes¡ªthough this time she set up a even more extreme scenario to prove her theory, that regardless the chronic anti-woman complex, even his own sense of superiority over women, the man in the movie fell into the fascination of female body (sex)¡on the other hand, overwhelmed by his animal instinct¡ªduring watching the woman exhibiting herself. Moreover the man's self-abasement and self-deceit at the end of the movie emphasized his failure, and more importantly, his sense of failure. Thus Catherine Breillat reveals her perception about the puzzle of sexual relationship¡ªmen are after all capricious children (hinted in the scene of children playing doctor and patient game), who mask their greed to what they are eager for, and turn to hate it if unable to have it. Naturally such desperate view won¡¯t be appreciated by the majority, which makes her a heathen among the believers of ethical love. Then again, her brilliancy lies in her metaphysical research on the topic, even it might be stray or biased. The real stupidity is judging her by the keep-it-simple-stupid rule, as in most occasions how the conservatives treat the pioneers, and the implicit treat the thoughtful.

I have seen this movie yesterday.Well,those who are fans of Amira Casar may like to see this film.. Otherwise it is a boring one. The dialog between Rocco Siffredi (porn Star) and Amira Casar(well known actress) is not realistic. Amira Casar plays mostly naked but just like a model for an artist. She is lying on the bed without any movement. There are some explicit scenes one of which was female close-up genitals.But it is obvious that those close-up genitals are not belong to Amira Casar. Probably another porno star has played on these scenes on behalf of her . She is a good actress for sure but in this film she was just like a sculpture . May be she was uneasy due to play role in the sexual scenes with a porn star with his erect penis . There are some unbelievable obnoxious scenes also such as licking and drinking menstruation blood.

I haven't bothered to review a film for a while as it's essentially a pointless task, but I am forced to action (as a person of action might say).

WHY!?!?!? do people have a problem with sex in films. There are rumours that this film is being appealed against in Australia with the intention to ban it!! I do not find breasts offensive, not pubic hair. I certainly don't find a penis offensive, or I would be forced to slice mine off... (I'm quietly admiring of Rocco's, wish mine looked more like his)... so I don't have a problem with those things being portrayed in Anatomie de L'Enfer. There are a few challenging images in the film, but what is wrong with being challenged. Indeed, how could you go into this film and be shocked, the poster let's on what you are in store for, the films rating lets you know!

Why do adults have a problem with two adult characters discussing sex in a film? I thank Einstein that we have films other than the 'lets switch off our brains' U.S films (which there is a time and place for) to sometimes get our teeth into.

Lets cherish Catherine Breillat and look forward to her next production; I for one would love to meet her.

Cheers.

This was the first movie I saw from writer/director Catherine Breillat. I liked it so much that I also saw Romance, and A real young Girl. I'm looking forward to Fat girl, and 36 Filette which I've heard good reviews on. The DVD for Anatomy of Hell has an interview with Catherine Breillat that I thought was very interesting and I highly recommend watching it right after the movie. Anatomy of Hell focuses on a women {Amira Casar} paying a homosexual man {Rocco Siffredi} to watch her in her home during her most private moments. It contains graphic sexual material but in a learning context. The woman's character seems to want to take the shame out of being a women by showing a man {who is disgusted by women} her most feminine self. By doing so they connect on a very raw level. I enjoyed the movie. If you like Catherine Breillat's particular form of artistry you may like some of her other movies as well.

I am a great fan of Catherine Breillat. I have seen many of her films now and have enjoyed each and every one. She is an interesting film maker, always provocative, always prepared to push the boundaries of cinema. 'Anatomy of Hell' tho left me somewhat bored. It seems to me that with each new film, Breillat is becoming ever more compartmentalized. Here, her mission is to specifically explore the female sex organ and the affect this may (or may not have) on the male sexual and emotional psyche. The problem is, since she's chosen such a narrow subject (no pun intended) to examine, there really isn't enough material here to sustain an entire film ... even one with a brief running time as this (approx 80 mins).

Another downside also is that the film is totally reliant on the 2 leads, and frankly, Siffredi is just not up to the task. On the other hand, as always, Breillat casts an interesting female lead. Amira Casar, with her porcelain white skin, her voluptuous curves and her pitch black hair certainly holds ones interest. I get the feeling Breillat, when making the female casting choice, looks for younger and more glamorous versions of herself -- you'll rarely see a blonde.

There are the trademark 'pluses' of Breillat in this film tho. Her thoughtfully conceived set design for example ... her minimal editing .. sparse use of lighting. These all add up to good story telling techniques in my book. But alas, there is just not enough substance to the narrative to make this a good film.

I really do wonder where she is going to go from here ... ?