Aftermath (1994)
One of the joys I've discovered with Netflix is that it seems to have a very varied selection of movies and television series. Hell earlier in the week I watched the complete series of a show I'd never even heard of but really enjoyed. So it has a way of introducing a person into things they normally would not know. Of course, so do friends, and for the third time in a row, this review comes courtesy of a dear movie loving friend who also send REC and Victim my way.
In keeping with the past two, this film is not your average piece of cinema. It is also a short film, clocking in at a half hour, but that's fine- means there's less work for me to do.
Rather then break things down let's just jump into things. Today's film is a Spanish short from 1994 called Aftermath, which my friend informed me has been called creepy by those she knows who have viewed it. And while I don't disagree, I don't think creepy is the right word for it.
I'd use graphic.
The film has no dialogue, which adds to the atmosphere as the visuals do all the talking. It's after hours in the morgue, and the last two morticians are working on some corpses. I say working on because I don't really know what else to call it. One finishes quite quickly and leaves, while the other one, who has been established by his heavy breathing and empty gaze as a bit strange. Left to his own devices, the man pulls out the corpse of a young female car crash victim, and well... They say it takes different kinds of people to move the world, but this guy is a whole other kind of sick, let's put it like that. What he does to this corpses, which he photographs for posterity, defies words. It's sick, nothing else can really be said.
Again, I wouldn't call this creepy, at least as a whole. It has a creepy atmosphere, which is both due to the location- morgues aren't exactly known for being cheery places, the lack of dialogue, and the presence of the mortician. The actor who plays him really pushes the disturbing button- from the first time you see him, you can feel he's not right. Still, beyond that, the word that really comes to mind for this film is graphic- there is a whole lot of blood, organs, full on nudity, and a few things I really won't say here, and you see almost everything- I say almost because a few things are left to the imagination, but we still know what they are and while we may not see it all we hear it, and that's enough.
It is a sick film, but I'm not here to judge it's taste, I'm here to talk about the movie as a whole, and I have to say that it is a decent short film. It's well shot, the use of sound and location really amp up the atmosphere and the lone actor does a great job in his role. One thing I saw in a few reviews I read is the film has no story- this is true, but it's a short film and there doesn't really need to be a full fledged narrative. Really this film is just a quick look at a deranged and sick man and what is likely a typical night for him. That's all you need, and with that in mind I'd say the film succeeds.
That's not to say I recommend this film. Not that I don't, but this realy stretches the bounds of taste. Now I can stomach a lot, and as stated will watch almost anything so for me, this is somewhat tolerable. But for the rest of the film going public this is likely one to skip. Really, if you can handle sick and twisted imagery for a half hour, then give the short a watch. If not, walk away, you aren't missing anything.
3 Blended Hearts out of 5
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