User reviews

I've written a book and some articles about film censorship, so given the controversy looming around this particular film, and its highly interesting release history in the UK (read wikipedia for more), I got my hands on a pre-release uncensored copy. What's very interesting is that apart from some suggestive shots hinting at pedophilia and the extension of the film's most gruesome, unforgettable scene, it's all there, only left to the imagination - leaving me with the question I've come up with whenever confronted with such a case: if censorship leaves certain aspects to the spectator's imagination, isn't the effect even more stimulating?

Yes, 'A Serbian Film' undoubtedly runs for the title of the yuckiest film ever. Yes, it's definitely reveling in the very muck it pretends to criticize, i.e. the complete and total moral decay of our times. I would have very much favored an incorporation of the (presumably Western) consumers of the kind of pornography it deals with, for that remains the film's weakest aspect: the social commentary is quite accurate, but not sufficiently explored.

And yet, 'A Serbian Film' is still unmistakably a piece of art. The technical specs are top-notch for such a limited budget. The acting, especially Sergej Trifunovic as psychiatrist-turned-porn producer Vukmir, is nothing short of (disturbingly) wonderful. And most important of all: the underlying anger appears to be real. I was in Serbia for a festival last year (prior to this film's release), and cannot help but remember how similar some opinions and stories I heard were to the views expressed in this film. That being said, I completely understand why Serbs were outraged at this film. Being born in Romania, which has an equal share of ethical bankruptcy, I must admit that if this had been made in Romania, and called 'A Romanian Film', I would be very very mad.

This is one of those rare pieces of celluloid which will most likely not allow for any neutral point of view, like 'Mondo Can(nibal)e', or Pasolini's 'Salo', or the collected films of Catherine Breillat. The difference for me is that I usually dislike films of this nature because of their wantonly exploitative nature serving no narrative purpose; that purpose, however, exists in 'A Serbian Film', making it all the more disturbing and relevant.

Consider this not exactly as a review, but as a warning from a friend, in case you haven't seen this film yet and are curious about it. There are already many good reviews here dealing with the cinematographic, technical, cultural etc aspects of this film, so I won't add anything new there. This is not about the film, but about you, the potential viewer.

As many other reviewers, I've seen a significant amount of "extreme" or strong horror movies. Fear and shock are powerful emotions, and films are a safe and entertaining way of experiencing them. Some of them left a deep impression in me, sometimes for a few days, but that eventually vanishes.

With this film, it's a different story. It may leave permanent scars in your mind that will ruin some of the best experiences of your life, such as witnessing the birth of your child or lying in bed caressing a son's hair. Violent and obscene thoughts will keep intruding, and it's scary for me to think how much this can affect some people. If you think that you may belong to this group, don't risk it. There are many good films out there, and you may go on living without watching this one. Otherwise, go and watch it, but just remember that images can not be erased from your brain aftewards.

This is why this is so different. The fear does not come during the movie. It comes after. And it is too real.

An ageing porn star is given a chance to do something a little different, a movie that will take him in a whole new direction.

I was warned, I was warned by people who will probably read this review, I said I'd post it after watching it.

Initially there are a few interesting moments, and a few scenes where you're think you're in for something good, sadly as it progresses, all that is wiped, and lost in among a slurry of blood and gore. It simply goes too far, there were some decent ideas, but the realisation was just loathsome.

I wish I hadn't watched it, this has overtaken The Human Centipede as the movie I wish I could unsee. I am struggling to agree with those that class this as an art film, that's a joke, it's purely a sick fest, a movie about exploitation and depravity of the highest order.

I ordered this on dvd, I genuinely plan of chucking the disc at the bottom of a skip, in the hope that nobody picks it up and tries to watch it.

Detestable.

1/10.

I liked that I didn't know what was going to happen until the very end. The film presents and gathers together the vile films that a normal person would not watch. I wouldn't recommend it to people who don't exactly want such perversions because it would be traumatic. I also like the development of the several intertwining plots at the same time. This conveys credibility to the story itself, which brings the viewer even more into the story of the main character. This movie mixes sadness and anger in one. At the end of the film, the person watching is confused whether he should be sad for the characters or angry because of all the bad things that have happened and there is a sense of injustice.

OK, I finally got round to watching A Serbian FILM.

I consider myself to be in the heavyweight division when it comes to having seen the most hardcore of horror/shock films, i.e, Slaughtered Vomit Dolls, The Gateway Meat, Murder-Set-Pieces, Irreversible, Men Behind The Sun, All the Cannibal films, Nekromantik....you name it, I've probably seen it. Now, I have to say, NONE are as nasty as this beast!

Im not going to say what happens in the film, but even for me, some was hard to watch. BUT the actual film is GOOD!...If you can get through it.

The basic story is about a guy called Milos, who is a retired porn star, who in his day was the best actor in the business. Now he is a bit skint, so when he gets offered one last job, offering him enough money to set him and his family up for life, he just can't turn it down. He asks what the film is about, but the employer is reluctant to tell.....what happens is indescribable!!! Like I said it is very hard to watch in some scenes, but the film is actually really good, and the acting is solid throughout.

You got to think, the poorer European countries, are rife with crime, and money goes a long way. So if you are having hard times and a massive money offer comes your way...How far would you go!

For me 8/10, but I can't recommend it, simply for the content in the film. But if you think you can take it, and can appreciate it for the film it is, go for it!

I don't really know where to start... At first I didn't know what to think. There are so many nasty, nasty scenes in this film. So it took quite a while to really "digest" it. It truly is a nasty film. I didn't think it was possible to make such a film and get away with it!

But there's more to it. It's not JUST a nasty film. It's a nasty film with something to say. It's got something to say about money, about art, about family and about life in the "not-as- rich" parts of the "civilized" world. I think this movie is a part of a cleansing. A cry to the world; don't let sick stuff happen. It might just be me, but I thought I could see all that through out the film.

It is a very well made movie. The acting is solid to the end. The camera-work is just superb. Lighting, sets and costumes are just delicious! It's got texture. A look of it's own. The gore effects are also unbelievably well made. That is why this film is so hard to watch. It all seems a little too real to be entertaining. I love gore film, I do. But I prefer the campy ones with obviously fake gore. It's just too real to be comfortable.

So I'll give this movie a solid 7 out of 10.

It's really good but it's also really hard to watch.

That saying, "Some things you can't unsee" is definitely in full affect here. I saw this at the SF indiefest with a small theater packed with people and left utterly speechless. I have seen everything under the sun when it comes to sick and twisted cinema and this tops it all.

What's insane is that this movie is REALLY well made; Some very impressive camera work, disgustingly sharp and mean spirited dialogue, a believable cast and some serious nailbiter scenes. Oh yeah, it's actually got some laugh out loud moments also, but it never takes you away from that feeling of dread and utter disgust.

As a previous review said, there are about 4 scenes that I will never forget in my life. I saw this about a week ago and every time I see the friends I saw it with the scenes come up in our conversations. There are things put on celluloid that I never, ever thought I would see in a cinema in America(or Europe for that matter).

Go into this with extreme caution and a very open mind. I loved it.

So you think you have seen it all???? Think again, i reckon i have just witnessed the most disturbing extreme movie ever, and you know what, for the first time i have no idea whether to give this film a good review or a bad review, its not a film that you can enjoy, although it was very well made and preformed by the actors, so in a visual and technical term it was impressive.. The premise for this little shocker is simple, a semi-retired porn star is lured back to his profession to do this once in a lifetime shoot so he can make lots of money and secure his family, but he has no idea what the shoot will contain, so we the viewer have a birds eye view in the dark and very murky journey he goes through, as the porn shoot becomes more extreme he begins to realise what he's got himself into and the director has a shocking surprise for his lead actor in what he wants him to do, not to spoil anything (its a taboo busting subject) but lets just say that if you put Cannibal holocaust, Irreversible, Emanuel In America, and Martyrs in a blender, throw a baby in the mix and you have an idea what your letting yourself in for.....I know some people will be very upset watching this film and some people will demand that this film be banned, there are some scenes of extreme sexual violence that will anger some of the mainstream crowd, i just hope that the censors will leave this film the way the director intended.. Be cautious when you see this movie, if it gets a proper release this film will get mixed reviews, it will be sure to divide people apart and thats the beauty of this controversial film, love it or hate it, you will never forget it. I must admit i was relieved that the police never came barging in and arrested me and everyone at the preview...

There are some films that should never have been made. This is one of them. It is revolting, twisted and sickening. The film was banned in a number of countries around the globe - with good reason! This is an 'art film' in its worst form. The ending was completely dissatisfying. I don't recommend this at all.

WOW... ok this is the first review I've done in a few years so I may be a little rusty now with that said I'm a HUGE horror fan and have seen all of the popular "extremes" to come down the pipe in the last few years and my friends, in terms of extreme and downright disturbing content, this one puts them ALL to shame in the worst (and best) of ways! The setup here is pretty simple (older porn star agrees to one last job for a huge payday yet isn't allowed to know anything about the script) and is told in a fairly straightforward slow burn-exploitation format but what sets this one so far apart is how real and well done the film is before the real horror starts. Milos (our protagonist) is just a family man trying to make ends meet and this is one of the few horror films where you Really feel for the main character and that's a big part of what makes all the downright SICK S@&$ that happens in the second half that much worse. The acting was a lot better than you'd expect from this type of film (especially from Milos) and helps add the emotional weight that really makes this a knee-breaker. Another huge aspect ASF gets right: this is scary as h@ll before anything really happens thanks to some absolutely top notch cinematography and a synth based score that will chill you to the bone and lets you know right away that some VERY bad things are coming and oh god do they ever... After a couple of very uncomfortable shoots at the start of his "film" Milos tries to back out and he (and us viewers) are dropped into a nightmare that is not going to be soon forgotten. There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said in terms of shocking content but I'm still shaking this film off as I type this so here's my 2 cents anyway: there really is a line of "showing too much" and this film wallows in crossing it and assaulting the viewer with truly the most disgusting scenes ever put on legit film (at least in the uncut version)! Honestly I would have given this an 8 had this been the cut version and showed A LITTLE restraint. That's not to say this isn't a quality horror film because it is of the highest kind just one that's impossible to recommend because of said scenes and the very real damage they could have on people. In closing this is our generation's "Dare Film" if you will. That ONE movie that you "bet someone won't watch" and for good reason. It's as much porn as it is horror and to say it's not for everyone would be the understatement of the year but ultimately I went in expecting a very strong political horror film and that's exactly what I got, and the need to take about 15 showers. It was clearly made by angry expert film makers that wanted to REALLY shock and make a good movie doing it and they succeeded in making one of the most disgusting and brutal films EVER. If that doesn't sound like something you're prepared for (and even most horror fans aren't) stay away, FAR AWAY

The graphic images settle into your brain and will haunt you for the rest of your life. (And I am normally not a sensitive person)

First, I want to say that I disagree with everyone who argues that this movie is simply made for explicit shock value with no other purpose. I can quarrel this with two simple points: 1. I am a male porn performer myself and immediately found there to be a handful of real concepts, thoughts, and fears to relate with Milos on within the first fifteen minutes of the film (desensitization, your position in a family setting as a pornographer, to take the job or not to take the job, etc). Now, I'm sorry if you have no way of grasping that he is a realistic and admirable character in believable shoes, but he is. The level of relation I found with Milos shocked and impressed me and made me wonder if either that screenwriter had had some personal experience as a porn performer in the past, or instead was just a really intelligent person who was able to grasp it without actually experiencing it.

2. People like this actually do exist! Snuff is not a fictional concept. There are people that are this sick out there - and involving massive sums of money and pornographers does not seem far off at all. If it weren't for people who took the time to make films like this for us, how would we be aware of the twisted possibilities of what could happen to us if we're not too careful? On top of these opening defense statements, there are a bundle of things that make this a fantastic film.

First of all, the cinematography - the look they got in post - the editing - it all looks stellar, tasteful, and comes off as being done by true, inspired professionals. This is probably the best looking and feeling film that exists that could be considered anything even nearing the "torture porn" sub-genre. While I would never call this a straight-up torture porn film, it certainly does feel similar when it delves into it's scenes of sex and violence with "S&M tones" - that's putting it lightly... I would never call this a horror film either. It's FAR too human and psychological to me to be categorized in a genre that has become so stale and brainless. If anything, what separates it from most torture porn is that it's torturing your brain, not just your eyes by seeing prolonged sadistic violence on it's own. There's a lot more to this. It's more like psych-torture.

I also found the performances to be perfect for this film. Milos of course steals the show, see-sawing between the calm likable man he is and the primal beast he becomes when "working". Marko was also another standout with his performance - very discomforting with his bitterness towards Milos and his uncontrollable lust for Milos's beautiful wife. While Vukmir and his henchmen were the cheesiest, they still filled their shoes very effectively. Majority of the female characters didn't have much personality, but I believe that was on purpose to go along with the mentality of pornography - and I found it very effective and dreamlike or nightmarish. I couldn't believe how many stunning women they found to cast for such an intense film - it only adds to it's surrealism.

The score was impressive as well. Hard hitting, abrasive, electronic beats almost comparable to a score like that of The Social Network - and just as good. It made me feel even more engaged in the film and the character than I already was beforehand.

Now, I know a lot of people can't handle explicit gore - but the artificial violence itself is a masterful art on it's own! To create an artificial scene of violence and make it believable and effective is a mighty task! And this movie is chock FULL of gut-wrenching ultra-violence! This is something that deserves recognition, praise... even awards. It's not an easy game, kids! I would love to go into detailed descriptions of the groundbreaking scenes, but I'll leave that to everyone else. I've looked through this message board and it's just chock full of spoilers. I'll just say that all the violence is extremely disturbing and realistic, and thus it's very impressive.

Now I admit that I laughed plenty of times as an instinctual defense mechanism in reaction to some of the most over-the-top sequences. What else can I do as a human being? You feel disgusted, or you laugh. It's one or the other. If it were real - I would certainly not be laughing, but it's not - it's a effective emulation of what in reality would be ultimate horror. Because it's SO shocking and effective, I laugh, because I can't believe they pulled it off - or took my brain to this new place it hadn't been before. THAT, is something to admire.

I would never tell anyone to watch this movie. But I will tell you that it is absolutely a masterpiece of it's own kind. Pulp cinema, if I had to call it anything so broad. A lot of people say they will never watch it again. Now, although it scarred me - I don't think I'm going to lock it up and swallow the key. It's too good to never watch again. But, it will be a long, long, long time before I do again... (Unless I have a sick friend who just wants to watch it WITH me THAT bad).

I'd give it a 10, which it very well probably does deserve in the long run, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

In Serbia, the retired porn star Milos (Srdjan Todorovic) is married with his beloved wife Marija (Jelena Gavrilovic) and they have a little son, Peter, that is their pride and joy. The family is facing financial difficulties, but out of the blue, Milos is contacted by the porn actress Lejla (Katarina Zutic) that offers him a job opportunity in an art film. Milos is introduced to the director Vukmir (Sergej Trifunovic) that offers a millionaire contract to Milos to act in a film. However, Vukmir neither show the screenplay nor tell the story to Milos. Milos discuss the proposal with Marija and he signs the contract. But sooner he finds that Vukmir and his crew are involved in sick snuff films of pedophilia, necrophilia and torture and there is no way back to him and maybe it is too late to protect his family.

Yesterday, the exhibition of "A Serbian Film" was forbidden in the RioFan Festival by the promoters that claimed in a note that "We deeply regret the decision. "A Serbian Film" is, without any doubt, one of the most polemic films of all times etc." These were the magic words that made me see this film.

First of all, I am against any censorship: a film shall be accordingly rated, with warning advising the theme since only very specific audiences might like it. My wife, for example, is a very sensitive person and would never support watching "A Serbian Film".

This film is indeed sick, violent, polemic, with many transgressions; but "Irréversible"; "Salò o le 120 Giornate di Sodoma"; "Hostel"; "Ichi, the Killer"; "Cannibal Holocaust"; "I Spit on Your Grave" (the original) and many others also are and they have their public and fans.

"A Serbian Film" is one of the most violent, sick and graphic films that I have ever seen, but I liked it. The sequence with the baby is unbearable and hard to see; the scene with Milo's family is too violent and disturbing but absolutely predictable. The acting and make-up are impressively realistic. Certainly a sensitive person will be sick and will not like or even see this movie. The poster in the movie-theaters and the boxes of the DVD or Blu-Ray should warn that this story is recommended to a very specific audience; but censorship, never, since it is the best marketing that a polemic film can have. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Serbian Film – Terror Sem Limites" ("A Serbian Film – Terror without Limits")

Let me tell you one thing:I have seen the sickest horror/exploitation movies ever made including "Cannibal Holocaust","Mu Zan E","Forced Entry","The Taming of Rebecca","August Underground" series,"Angst","In a Glass Cage","First Transmission","Despair","Aftermath","Man Behind the Sun","Lolita Vibrator Torture","Martyrs" or "The Untold Story",but some ideas presented in "A Serbian Film" left me speechless.A story of Milos,a former porn star,who accepts the role in utterly sick porn produced and directed by shady Vukmir is certainly disturbing and shocking.The film is well-made and competently acted and the Serbian porno starlets/actresses are truly hot.There are some truly revolting scenes in "A Serbian Film" including rough anal sex/decapitation,infant rape and paedophilia,various beatings and bloody violence.The action is fast,the cinematography is beautiful and the script is filled with despair and resignation.Serbia is shown as a truly rotten and hellish place to live just like in the other controversial Serbian film "The Life and Death of a Porn Gang".Be prepared.Be very prepared."A Serbian Film" will make you wanna get up and vomit!8 out of 10.

Im speechless about this movies. if you are a heavyweight twisted , horror extreme movie fan then this one will blow you off. I have seen some heavy ones but nothing compared to this one. I don't recommend it to anybody. This movie is between the limits of art and twisted mind perversion. You should be aware with whom you watch it, and definitely NOT recommended for kids , i would even say now even for young adults. i hope i will never hit the cinemas. I only recommend this movie for really movie addicts who can might see the good side out of it.There is nothing more to write about it. it went beyond of what i can call a movie. ....... extreme sex contend with extreme violence.

In the pantheon of disturbing cinema, Srdan Spasojevic's 'A Serbian Film' stands as a grotesque outlier, a film that doesn't just cross the line- it revels in its transgression. While movies like Takashi Miike's darkly comic 'Visitor Q', along with Pier Paolo Pasolini's cerebral 'Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom,' demonstrate that filmmakers can weave unsettling narratives with compelling messages, 'A Serbian Film' lacks such depth.

The term 'torture porn,' coined in the wake of the 'Saw' franchise, aptly describes horror films that are obsessed with the fragility of the human form, dramatizing its destruction with a perverse glee. Often, these films fail to transcend their bloodlust, embodying Thomas Hobbes' description of life as "nasty, brutish and short." Spasojevic's contribution to the genre, however, is anything but brief. It's an interminable descent into depravity, following beleaguered pornstar Milos as he navigates the murky waters of an 'artistic' endeavour that quickly devolves into a nightmare.

Spasojevic, alongside co-writer Aleksandar Radivojevic, crafts a narrative that is as disheartening as it is monotonous- a relentless barrage of sadism without a shred of originality or wit. The film's attempts to parallel the worst of Eli Roth's 'Hostel' fall flat, rendering even Roth's most harrowing scenes as innocuous as a Disney flick by comparison. Despite lofty claims of satirizing political correctness and critiquing colonialism, the film's execution is as shallow as a rain-slicked street; its purported themes lost in a mire of senseless brutality.

From the stilted dialogue to the clichéd character arcs, there's a distinct lack of innovation or merit in the screenplay. 'A Serbian Film' is not a clever parody nor a poignant critique; it is a cinematic aberration leaving viewers questioning not the nature of political correctness or colonialism, but the motives behind its creation. It's a film that, from its grim inception to its merciful conclusion, offers no redemption, no insight- only the bleak reminder of cinema's potential for darkness.

With its unoriginality and repetitive scenes of violence, it is reminiscent of John Erick Dowdle's 'The Poughkeepsie Tapes,' though is a much more polished effort, technically. Nemanja Jovanov's cinematography is audaciously striking, capturing the macabre with an unsettling clarity that almost dares you to look away. Sky Wikluh's electronic score is a relentless undercurrent, amplifying the tension to almost unbearable levels, while editor Darko Simic's rapid cuts ensure the viewer's descent into the film's abyss is swiftly relentless. Moreover, the special effects and make-up achieve a disquieting realism, blurring the line between fiction and the viewer's threshold for horror.

Yet, this technical artistry serves only as a bitter reminder of the film's wasted potential, becoming a mere backdrop to the narrative's relentless brutality. As the credits roll, one is left not with an appreciation for the film's technical achievements, but with an overwhelming sense of exhaustion- a testament to the film's ability to provoke a visceral response, but also to its failure to channel its technical merits into a narrative worthy of them.

Furthermore, the cast, despite their commendable performances, are simply pawns in a game that overshadows their talents. Srdjan 'Zika' Todorovic, in a role that demands everything and offers nothing, delivers a heartbreakingly raw performance as Milos, capturing the essence of a man dragged through the inferno of human depravity. Opposite him, Sergej Trifunovic, as Milos's employer Vukmir, is chillingly effective, infusing the character with a subtle menace that lingers long after the screen cuts to black.

In addition, Jelena Gavrilovic and Slobodan Bestic, as Marija and Marko, Milos's wife and brother, respectfully, give strong performances that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. Yet, the question looms large: to what end? The film's relentless onslaught of brutality leaves little room to appreciate the efforts of the cast, showing that even the most potent performances can be rendered moot by a narrative devoid of purpose, wit or insight.

A voyeuristic foray into the depths of exploitative cinema, Srdan Spasojevic's 'A Serbian Film' stands as a Grand Guignol spectacle of the most witless kind. It's the cinematic equivalent of an unrelenting tooth extraction without the mercy of anaesthesia- thoroughly gruelling to endure. While it may boast technical proficiency and strong performances, these are but a veneer over a hollow core devoid of meaningful commentary.

It is a film that leaves behind a legacy not of insightful artistry, but of controversy for controversy's sake- a cautionary tale of how a narrative, no matter how polished its exterior, can falter without substance to anchor it. 'A Serbian Film' stands as a stark reminder that the power of cinema to disturb is profound, but without purpose or restraint, it risks becoming an empty spectacle; full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing.