Snuff, a Documentary About Killing on Film
Snuff, a Documentary About Killing on Camera
Director: Paul von Stoetzel
Rating: Not Rated
DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008
Runtime: 76 Minutes
Produced by: Killing Joke Films
Distributor: Westlake Entertainment
Running time: 76 mins
ASIN: B001AYPST8
Where to buy:
Amazon
Film Synopsis:
SNUFF: A Documentary About Killing on Camera is a feature film examining the existence of films in which people are murdered on camera and the culture surrounding them. Through interviews with former FBI Profilers, Cultural Academics, and Film Historians the documentary delves into the disturbing history and myth of Snuff Films. The FBI claims there is no evidence to prove the existence of Snuff and, therefore, Snuff Films are a myth. This documentary analyzes the relationships between war, cult films, serial killers and pornography to prove whether or not this pervasive myth is, in fact, reality.
Hello Ghouls and Boils,
I met Paul von Stoetzel at the 2006 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. I was working for the HPLFF and Paul was there as a filmmaker guest. He made a terrorific short called Asleep in the Deep. It was my favorite of the fest that year – and I was not alone in that sentiment. It was a phantastic Lovecraft meets Alice down-the-rabbit-hole flick. Superb work and I highly recommend it! Paul and I have kept in touch over the years. When I first began She Never Slept, Paul was on my short list of contacts. I told him about my project and told him to let me know if he had any news or projects he would like to share with us. He promptly stuffed a couple of DVDs in the post. The first was a short documentary called “My Friend Root Rot“. This 9 minute film explores the life of a horror podcaster. It was quite charming and I gave it a 4 out 5, mostly wishing it was longer. The next film he sent me is the one that our newest Minion – Joe Pettit Jr. – is going to discuss: Snuff, a Documentary About Killing on Camera. It’s a tough subject and a tough first assignment. Joe bravely accepted it. Without further delay, I present you his thoughts on this taboo subject. Enjoy my fiends!
Abstrusely,
Sarah L. Gerhardt
Certain topics provoke outrage, disgust, and cries of “urban legend” at their mere mention. Case in point: the snuff film, a topic that literally can kill a conversation. Acknowledging a fascination with the mythology of snuff is an open proclamation of interest in one the darkest deeds a human can perpetrate on another.
I have to be honest. When Sarah asked if I would review a film for SNS, I was thrilled. Here was my chance to come out like a blazing star in my field of expertise. When she revealed the film was titled Snuff, a Documentary about Killing on Camera, I cringed, and came very close to turning it down flat. This wasn’t the fun scare fest I’d envisioned for my first assignment. While my trepidation was not entirely unfounded, the film was not as exploitative as I envisioned it could have been. Director Paul von Stoetzel guides the exploration of this disturbing subject with intelligence, understanding, and a curiosity to uncover the real truth behind snuff.
Is there any documented, incontrovertible proof that snuff films actually exist? Von Stoetzel’s panel of experts quickly establish that if one sticks to the strict definition of snuff (murder on film for the express purpose of distribution for entertainment and financial gain), then snuff films don’t exist. The mythology arose during the 1970s when the use of handheld cameras and lower grade film stock gave movies a naturalistic look and created a brutal, hyper-violent cinema vérité. In the 1980s, the popular Faces of Death series caused a sensation in many countries by depicting a variety of morbid ways to die. The panel of experts explains how the series was a mix of real and created footage. For instance, the controversial monkey brain eating sequence is dissected, revealing that toy mallets and a rubber monkey head created the illusion of animal killing on film.
After laying waste to the legend of commercially produced snuff films, Von Stoetzel steers the discussion towards real death captured on film, through war footage and, in a few rare instances, by serial killers documenting their murders.
Final thoughts:
Director Paul von Stoetzel handles a difficult, emotionally charged subject with sympathy, finesse, and an approach that manages to debunk the myths while examining the real evidence of our fascination with actual human death captured on film. Snuff, a Documentary about Killing on Camera is certainly not for everybody. I recommend the film to those who can approach the documentary with an open mind, while holding their knee-jerk emotional reflexes in check. You will find much provocative and disturbing food for thought about what passes for acceptable viewing within modern culture. I give the documentary 4 out of 5.
Joe Pettit Jr. – Minion (Reviewer)
There are 1 Comments to "Snuff, a Documentary About Killing on Film"
Killing for Culture: Death Film from Mondo to Snuff by David Kerekes and David Slater (Creation Books, 1996) is, or was – at least when it was published, the absolute last word on this topic. I have read this book ragged, which is unfortuate as it is now out of print.
Looking very forward to seeing the documentary sometime. Nice review Joe!
Henry