Film Reterospective- August Underground trilogy

Hey all, todays blog will be the first of a new idea I have - Film retrospectives.


As the month is August, I thought it quite apt to do a retrospective on a trilogy of films that a lot of people wont have seen- The August Underground Trilogy.


August Underground (2001)
Director- Fred Vogel


The original film, released in 2001, staring it's director Fred Vogel in the lead role of serial killer Peter. When this came out people thought it was a snuff film and it is easy to see why. It unsurprisingly was not shown in theatres and was initially distributed on tape to a limited 200 copies. Many who initially saw it genuinely believed that what they were seeing was real.


Accompanying Peter (who is not named in this film) is unseen person filming the murders that he carries out. This person is also not named and barely speaks. It looks like home video footage of these two doing things to people that are beyond unspeakable. This is interspersed with footage of them doing normal things and just basically messing around. The way in which it was shown would suggest that the actors were basically pretending that it actually was real. For people who are not used to seeing "found footage" films it would be very easy to com to the conclusion that what they are seeing is not make believe.


It has to be said that this is probably the most extreme horror film ever made. It is absolutely relentless and there is very little relief.  Even for the most hardened horror fan, there are things shown here that are not easy to watch. Watching can make you feel somewhat violated and in need to watch something a bit more conventional afterwards. For someone who does not enjoy watching horror ,films they must avoid this at all costs. However, for those who are intrigued by it, it is hard to take your eyes of the screen. I did not particularly enjoy it in the traditional sense of the word, but I never the less watched it from start to finish in one sitting. I don't know what this says about me but maybe I must just be desensitised.


There is very little in the way of plot which makes it seem more real. Vogel's performance is not really one that is that far removed from his real self. Knowing this makes it more disturbing. Personally, if I was involved in making this film, I probably would feel somewhat scared. There is also very little to be found on the process of how this movie and its sequels were made, which is another thing that adds to it's realism. Vogel is clearly quite a talented actor, as none of his performance ever comes across as forced or over the top. This is quite clearly the reason why so many people are of the opinion that this film should never have been made. One piece of advice, watch this film out of the way of your grandparents or small children.


However, ultimately it is not real. It may be realistic, but there is a difference. \Watching it you do have to wonder what its purpose is. The fact that there is nothing really to like in the normal sense of the word seems to be its appeal. Now that the film has a wider distribution, people going into it probably have a clearer idea of what they are going to see. The film will also raise questions in yourself about why you actually wanted to see it. Mainstream film goers need not apply. If you think you will like it by all means give it a try but you have been warned.


In conclusion, there are not many people I would recommend this film to but what cant be denied is that it is a milestone in film making. It pushes boundaries and whether or not that is necccecarily a good or bad thing, it is never the less something. Compared to this, even A Serbian Film does not compare. If there is little to cherish in terms of the film as a piece of work, it deserves an honourable mention as something of a revolutionary experiment. Is there a film that tops this? Yes, it sequel which will be the focus of tomorrow's blog.


Nathan.