FILM REVIEW: ANIMALADA

Animalada

Released: 2001

Written & Directed by: Sergio Bizzio

Starring: Carlos Roffe, Christina Banegas, Walter Quiroz, Carolina Fal, Jose Maria Monje

Genre: Comedy, Horror

This bizarre comedy/horror hybrid from Argentina will no doubt polarize most viewers simply by virtue of its subject matter: a bored, wealthy farm-owner falls madly in love with one of his sheep, and the “passionate affair” that follows leads to insanity and murder. (I mentioned it’s part comedy, right?)

Well, if after hearing that you think you want to know more, then listen up, because Animalada is a truly unique viewing experience that fans of edgy cinema will not want to miss.

When mild-mannered Alberto locks eyes with a sheep named Fanny, he thinks he has found all he ever wanted from this life. Doting on the animal night and day, he raises the suspicion of his wife, and the jealousy of one of the farm-hands (who is also besotted by the woolly ewe). Alberto will brook no interference with his newfound love and dispatches anyone who stands in his way, including family members.

While watching Animalada, I couldn’t help thinking that a movie about bestiality should not be this good, but, damn my eyes, I loved it! It hits all the notes perfectly, and treats its admittedly disturbing and absurd subject matter with a completely straight face. And despite a few artsy flourishes here and there, the film never devolves into hipper-than-thou irony. Thankfully free of any winks to the audience, it’s up to us, the viewers, to decide what is funny, or horrific.

The comedic elements are, naturally, on the darker side of the humor spectrum, so that when some of the horrific sides to the story do occur, it all balances perfectly. And, despite the subject matter at play, Animalada is almost too odd, and surreal, to come off as “gross” or overtly offensive. While there are some uncomfortable moments, director Bizzio appears to be less interested in “shock value,” and more so in the inherent satiric side of the premise.

I don’t know that it all adds up to much in the end, but you’re not apt to find too many other films like it. So, if you’re like me, and you enjoy moviemaking that dares to go where most others won’t (even if it makes you feel a little uneasy), then by all means check this one out.

SHARP OBJEX Rating: 3.5 out of 4

(Animalada is available on DVD from Synapse Films)

Animalada Trailer

Comments

[Matty]

Loved the article - I needed an idea for a birthday gift for my friends. Hopefully they will enjoy them as you have. benz phone