Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés

I rented this movie without any foreknowledge of what to expect. The only reason to take it was that the cover looked kinda stylish. I was mildly disappointed when it appeared to be a ghost story. Luckily, it wasn't just that. It's more of an experimental combination of genres and styles, mixed in a family history with a bloody secret.

Its storyline is pretty messy, and therefore I had to watch some of the parts again to fully comprehend it. But I still liked it for what it was: a wacky movie with a dark undertone, with talented directors as David Lynch and Terry Graham resonating through the deviant style. I liked the stylish and heartwarming sequences that touched me with the utter beauty of it. The side-characters are all charming on their own unique way. Not all of them had enough time to get enough depth - mainly due to the messiness of the script - but as a whole they do make this movie into something special.

The plot ot this movie (written by director Robin Aubert) is so convoluted and becomes such an excessively elaborate puzzle to put together, that in the end, as I did not manage to connect emotionally, I did not care to understand everything that was revealed, nor did the uncovered secrets thrill me.

"Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés" is nothing but a "melodramón", with elements of science fiction and ectoplasmic horror here and there to scare and amuse. The music is unbearably ubiquitous, but yes, Aubert has a great talent for filming outdoors, as he later confirmed in the highly superior "Les affamés".

Flavien Juste (François Chénier) is the reporter of a tabloid that explores UFOs and other supernatural events that is near to bankruptcy. His chief and friend assigns him to investigate the disappearance of villagers in Despas and Flavien heads to the small town with his friend and photographer Armand (Patrice Robitaille). Flavien sees the ghost of a bride on the road and when they arrive in the hotel, Armand vanishes. Flavien seeks out his friend but the locals do not help him.

"Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés" is a stylish film with a promising and intriguing beginning that is unfortunately destroyed by a messy screenplay. The writer and director Robin Aubert is visibly influenced by David Lynch, using creepy and bizarre characters and situations with ghosts and an environment of Twilight Zone to disclose the creepy discovery of the reporter. But the resolution of the weird plot does not makes any sense and the conclusion is a complete mess. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Cidade Amaldiçoada" ("Cursed City")

This little flick is very special. It almost makes no sense, but that's what makes it so enjoyable. It throws at you outlandish characters and situations that just cannot happen in reality, but at the same time, it makes the movie very captivating. One minute it's pure horror, the next it's a fantasy mystery thriller, then it's black humor, then it's a love story, and it keeps juggling between different styles. The whole movie is very out of the world and mysterious, and I think that's what you just can't stop watching it, wondering what will happen next. It's a very bizarre film, but very enjoyable. People who need everything to be explained will not like it I bet, but if you enjoy supernatural stories, then make sure to give it a watch.

I saw this film at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival.

Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés is the feature film directorial debut for Robin Aubert, who also wrote the screenplay. The film follows tabloid reporter Flavien Juste (played by François Chénier), who goes to a small Quebec town with the paper's photographer and his friend, Armand (Patrice Robitaille). Flavien and Armand are there to investigate the mysterious disappearances of some of the villagers over the years. Not long after arriving, Armand disappears himself, setting in motion a whole series of events as Flavien tries to find his friend.

The town is populated with all sorts of characters, from the mayor who runs the town with an iron grip, backed up by his two greaser thugs right out of the 50's; to the mechanic who wears a mask to hide his face; to the two creepy sisters that run the town hotel; to the woman who plays steel guitar to the cows in the fields; and the lingerie-clad waitress in the restaurant who's Downs-syndrome affected son may be one of the few Flavien can turn to.

The movie is very reminiscent of work by David Lynch, a la Twin Peaks, but Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés is significantly clearer in its story and themes. At the heart of the film is the theme of identity, but to say too much more would give away the plot. The film has a nice look, being shot in hi-def. Aubert's shots make much of the small town look threatening and suitably creepy, even in broad daylight. There's probably a few too many startling cuts at the beginning of the film, but thankfully, they give way too a more restrained style for the remainder. I enjoyed the movie, especially the character of Flavien, as he struggles in his desperate search to penetrate the silence that pervades the tight-knit community.