MURDER-SET-PIECES

With Sven Garrett, Tony Todd, Cerina Vincent, Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, Jade Risser, Valerie Baber, Natasha Bunker, Jessie DeRoock, Jerami Cruise

Written & Directed by Nick Palumbo

Banned in the UK, this serial killer movie had controversy ride along with it from its inception. Part of the gripe stems from the fact that the million dollar budget and 35mm shooting format took a gruesome and graphically depicted story (which some would feel needs to look tacky), and gave it a slick aesthetic.

The hypocrisy with horror / terror / graphic films is the fact that when subjects of a gruesome nature like serial killers get filmed, it is fine when done by big budget Hollywood studios with award winning actors (like Silence Of The Lambs), or based on acclaimed books (like American Psycho which is as graphic, if not more so, in its printed form than Murder Set Pieces). It is an horrific subject, and when it is done “tastefully”, it is more globally acceptable – while in effect that is more sick, allowing the audience to “enjoy” the horrific acts, making this acceptability more perverse. What these twisted murderers do is an attack on nature, unacceptable crimes that have to stopped, and sugar coating it simply makes it acceptable. Palumbo's movie pulls very few punches as he depicts the senseless killing rampage of a German photographer in Vegas whose sexual perversion goes hand in hand with his bloodlust, with his killing urges knowing no age restriction. When it comes to misogyny it is not exactly a subject that is pleasant to experience (unless you're a sick puppy who enjoys to see women being abused) – but just because it is a terrible subject, doesn't mean it is taboo in the realm of cinema.

Up until 2010, the only theatrical screening MSP received in South Africa was at the X Fest Extreme Film Festival – www,xfest.org

Flamedrop Productions is looking at releasing Murder Set Pieces on DVD in South Africa to have viewers decide for themselves if this movie is as extreme as everyone is proclaiming, and whether it in fact has merit as an important film commenting on society's breakdown.

4 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice