I have seen this movie. Yes, I stomached the entire movie. Is this a badge of honor? No, there is no honor in this. Let me explain. This is like saying I stood by and watched a kitten getting tortured. Don't get me wrong. I have a great tolerance for filmmakers & controversial films & so I've heard a lot of people don't like cats (maybe they are dog people). Well I guess I'm not a fan of mixing little girls with sex. Call me intolerant or a close-minded censor- a man has to have some standards.
That being said I am annoyed at the idea of even thinking about producing this movie much less making it & then distributing it. I am never a fan of censorship (and that isn't the point here at all), but to use my example of a kitten being tortured... who would make a film about this particular subject without denouncing the acts in the film & who would dare say afterwards that they enjoyed watching it? That is worse than not denoucing it during the film. Are we now making films for the sake of saying we made a film about little girls having sex in them? Yes, I guess I do pretty much consider this a little-girl-sexploitation film. Is that a new genre? I'l make sure to avoid that section in the video store aisle next time.
Again I say, is that a reason for making a film... to say we did? Because no one has done it yet? And if we are 'saying something' by making a film- what are we now saying? What are we saying about ourselves for making it or watching it? Not what do we want to see or feel when we see controversial things... does it say we are brave or cool to watch an obviously deranged girl messing with her own life to the point of self-destruction & degradation? It so very sad. As it should be. It reminds me of 'Doom Generation' in that in the end I felt like throwing up. The problem with showing destructive content in films is that there are no consequences for the people in the movie... so we say "it is just a movie" thats all! But in real life this little girl, as we would all say (especially if she were our own daughter or friend) is in seriously bad trouble & she needs help. Just like your adrenalin doesn't know the difference in a horror or suspense, my moral sense doesn't feel the difference here either.
I understand if someone reads this review & responds with "boy the guy didn't even get past the underage sex!" Well, the point is that I have no real problem with the rest of the film... there were some unique methods employed. Much of the cinematography was disappointing though. Many of the scenes were filmed in the woods or on the side of the road... (how much work does it take to set up a few better locations?)
Understandably so, then, my main point here is that creativity in expressing opinions was not employed in a more effective fashion. Whatever happened to the principles of letting the mind's eye fill in the gaps to make a more powerful impression on the audience? To make a point of revolting the audience could have been expressed better- if that was the point here (compare to: "Conspirators of Pleasure"), but the director loses the point instead. Is it about shock value or is it about discussing hard-hitting social issues? In film history (take film noir for example) discussing difficult issues is much more effective when focusing on that issue (through good writing & cinematography- even lighting was used as a tool masterfully in good noir)... not by simply shocking the audience by showing everything... that's what porn does. It leaves no guessing in the mind about what is really happening here... nothing for your mind to fill in for itself... it is simply extremely explicit. But people who really deal in these subjects dont need an explicit viewing of 'the entire act'. This isn't actually to judge anyone (if you want porn, well just don't bring it in my house) but, really, to judge the best principles of effective filmmaking (& maybe to help with marketing this film better). Last time I checked though this movie wasn't in the porn aisle. Not that I was looking. :-/
To effect the mind and make it flourish with ideas & inspiration (which all good films do) allowing the audience to fill in the proper spaces with our own minds is simply more effective. Its more 'economical', impactful & it doesn't risk offending half of your audience. If your audience is like your boss (they do pay you so...) why risk offending your boss (by, for example, always showing up late for work)? After a while you realize its not worth it. And you realize that submitting yourself to 'some' mutually agreed upon standards is not a bad idea. Its just a bit more adult then isnt it?
As a viewer I did not enjoy it & do not think myself better for seeing it, but rather colder & darker for it. As a filmmaker I think it was a mistake to make the film.
There is a process you go through in the decision-making segment of pre-production & in originating a project... you weigh why a project is a good one & why it is a not a good one. I don't understand the perspective behind this movie that made someone think this was a good idea. And why would someone want to be known for making this movie? Who will this guy be rubbing elbows with if he is hanging with his fans at all? I'm sorry, but I'd rather have fans who aren't psychopaths (back to the kitten analogy)! Just a thought. Maybe he should have sold the film in the japanese little girl porn section of the video store... I know it's there somewhere... Oh its not!! Good! At least in japan it 'might' be considered legal & socially acceptable but I hope its never in my video store aisle.