Nature Morte

Every now and again a horror film is released that really cuts it. Gripping, complicated, bloody, and most importantly - enjoyable. Low budget films with a European cast and set in several international locations can't really be taken serious (Bruno Mattei springs to mind). Nature Morte is a film that kind of cuts it (quite literally), but then again it is a gritty thriller, you need to be fully awake to understand it!

The film kicks off in Marseilles with John Stevenson (Romain Roll), a famous artist, killing himself leaving his last masterpiece unfinished and a dead girl on his floor. The Police are baffled and take on the help of art expert Oliver Davenport. He notices that the latest painting is different from the others. All leads point to a small Thailand island. He travels there with a French undercover policeman Georges (Jeso Vial) in an attempt to understand why the painting is different and to find the killer.

The island is full of French speakers, blondes, and bars that demand your passport before you can be served a Ricard! There they meet Parisian painter Lec (Laurent Guyon), a small time collector of Stevenson's work. He's not exactly a trustful character, the duo trace his background and realise that he's a petty criminal faking it big in Asia. Georges is satisfied that Lec is not a suspect but Olivier continues to nosy into the daily life of him.

Around the 40 minutes mark I got a little lost in the blurred scenes of sex, drugs, blonde bimbos, and bloody killings! What I did understand was that there was a serial killer who tortured girls and made them the hub of his paintings. Still-life nude painting taken to the next level I guess.

Was Stevenson a killer? Is Lec a copycat killer? Who are all the distasteful characters on the Island? Are they involved? How will Oliver solve this case? Who kidnapped Oliver's wife?

Nature Morte is an extremely stylish debut from Paul Burrows. It's bursting with believable acting, realism, and grit! It has a film-noir artistic feel but it doesn't get too ahead of itself and it flows with colourful images (confusing images at that)! My only real quibble is that it was too complicated - but it is a thriller, making you think is expected.

"Nature Morte" is French for "Still Life" and is a good title for the subject matter. A UK film shot in Thailand, France, and the UK. It is an excellent achievement for a first time director, I can see Burrows being sought after in the future, a man who knows a good story and how to use a great mix of European talent.

The score (created by Siouxsie & the Banshees bassist Steve Severin) works well in the film although it didn't jump out at me. It does creep up at the right moments, especially on the artistic scenes adding to the style.

The DVD I reviewed was a Redemption screener so I can't comment on the "final product". The review copy was letterboxed, the picture was crystal clear, and the sound was booming on my speakers. You can clearly notice the low budget of the film, though personally this didn't hinder the viewing pleasure. Extras include a stills gallery, behind the scenes stills, some deleted and alternative scenes, a blooper reel, trailer, redemption trailers, and various internet links.

An excellent start from an indie UK filmmaker - artistic, bizarre, complex, and sexy. I highly recommend this film if you want to be thrilled and confused at the same time!

Reviewed by Broonage.