Miss Violence

"Miss Violence" is so disturbing, compulsive and ultimately fascinating that it challenges even Haneke's best work. If that's not a huge compliment to director Avranas' ability to shock and delight the audience in equal measure, I don't know what it is. The deservedly awarded Panou is perfectly understated as the kindly but malicious patriarch, the camerawork is top-notch (especially during the Social Care's visit to the apartment) and the film just reeks of tension and brilliant implications.

"Miss Violence" has a slow pace, little dialogue and some shocking scenes. It's artistically made yet tough, the exquisite photography and sound underlining the family's criminal dysfunction. Themis Panou, who was the comic relief in "Illustration", here delivers a taut performance as the soft-speaking yet fearful and perverse father. "Miss Violence" is a great effort. Strong like a punch in the guts but sensitive as a work of art.

Like a more clinical & depressing version of Dogtooth, but with child prostitution. There are some pacing issues, mostly between the gap of the phenomnal opening scene and the incredibly tense & unnerving final half hour. I didn't think anything could top the beach from Under the Skin for Most Disturbing scene, but the dancing at the end wins the prize. The ending isn't quite as satisfying as one hopes, which I assume is deliberate, but amazing. Damn, Greece. You fucked up.

It's shocking but clinical and distant, and as we never really get to know the characters, hard to care about. The conclusion doesn't offer much insight and there are a few weird plausibility issues. The clinical nature of it makes it look like Avranas doesn't quite grasp the emotional gravity of the situations he's creating.

33. İstanbul Film Festivali - City's: ...

Μία δύσκολη και σκληρή ταινία..σου αφήνει ένα "σφίξιμο" στο στομάχι και την αίσθηση της "πάλης" μέσα `