Movie: Ex Drummer

Yet another intensely graphic cult film; this one standing out from the previous few because of its more recent date of creation and European origin.

The movie has a cinematographic style comparable to high-intensity films like Trainspotting and Spun, but i'd say it had more symbolic purpose and patience than those two films. Instead of a non-stop roller coaster there are many moments where the viewer can take a breath and focus on the detail of a room or follow a character along a very clear path taking note of all of his surroundings. I'd suggest a second viewing to pick up on all the details. My second time through i tried to focus on where the subject was in the frame and there were many moments of purposeful confusion between what was the subject and other possible points of focus. This is definitely one of those movies that you can expect to see new things every time through.

Dries, the main character is easily one of my favorite characters of any film. He had an infinite amount of charm, but was at heart a narcissist, not having any emotional investment in any of the supporting characters or conflicts. One moment describes this notion perfectly. In the battle of the bands scene, the camera cuts from a high intensity performance on stage to a slow motion capture washed in red and black. Dries is walking slowly through the violent moshpit as it parts around him. His stride is confident and unquestioning until he reaches the center of the mosh and everyone around him falls to the ground in convulsions while he takes a long drag on a cigarette. The scene is surreal and powerful and shows Dries as a god, which is his ultimate role. He toys with the supporting characters, teases them, judges them, ultimately forsakes them, but not directly. He simply manufacturers the plot of their own self-destruction.

This isn't a light film in any respect, having almost every scene packed with vulgarity and perversity and filth, but if you can honestly say that filth is no less beautiful than anything else, enjoy this one. It's one of my favorites.

5/5