Thursday, March 08, 2012

Wound and Theatre of the Absurd: A Movie Review


*a screener of this film was provided by Breaking Glass Pictures.

*here be spoilers.

Director/writer: David Blyth.

Wound caused some controversy in its native country of New Zealand for using some very disturbing images. Those disturbing images did not stop distribution company Breaking Glass Pictures from releasing this film March 6th on DVD. The early castration scene and later vaginal secretions will likely unsettle most viewers. This is a film that tries to provoke while including elements of Theatre of the Absurd where anything can and will happen.

The story is focused on Susan (Kate O'Rourke) and her loss of mental health. Robbed of her sexuality by her father, Susan went on to conceive his child. The story is ambivalent regarding how many children Susan gave birth to; that does not seem to be the point. The film might be about Susan's last moments and of her regrets, possibly involving matricide and patricide. Yet, this is a film that defies interpretation.


There needs to be more Pig-men in film.

Theatre of the Absurd, from Albert Cadmus, is often a genre that will perplex and really, Susan's death is meaningless. All of the following images and memories are not to be debated. Instead, the images should just be experienced. From this perspective, there really is no plot to the film. And evidence of Theatre of the Absurd in Wound includes arguments and counter-arguments as to what is real and what is not real. Once characters are established their existence is countered by a dream state, which makes reality questionable. Other evidence of this genre includes Susan's inability to resolve her stillbirth(s) and her previous murders. She does not confront these issues and almost nothing of her inner turmoil is resolved. Essentially, Wound is meaningless just as Theatre of the Absurd is meant to be.

The use of so many unresolved and surreal elements means that Wound will not find a mainstream audience. This film is more for those searching for something off the beaten path. And dream vision narration and Theatre of the Absurd are elements rarely seen in film. Full of hazy images and odd-lighting, this is a film for those also looking for something experimental. Hopefully those experimental images of castrations, childbirth, and eye gougings do not upset you. After all, dreams are sometimes nightmares.

Wound is recommended for horror fans in the mood for a film that is meant to be experienced and not judged. The surreal images of David Blyth's latest film are really not meant to be debated as each possible linear storyline is countered by another opposing storyline. Nothing is resolved. Perhaps, that is the way the surreal is meant to be interpreted, as something meaningless and yet still enjoyable.

Overall: 8 out of 10 (expecting a disaster here and Blyth surprised with a great film, the film might unsettle some, meant to be provoking, interpretations are meaningless).

Another review of this film is available at Severed Cinema (Ray Casta):

Wound Reviewed at Severed Cinema

Wound at Breaking Glass Pictures:

Wound at Breaking Glass Pictures


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