Cannibal, directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca, opens with a long shot of a couple refuelling at a gas station, surrounded by complete blackness. It’s a beautiful shot, and also a very eerie one that seems to encapsulate the movie as a whole. Cannibal is dark, creepy and suspenseful, but ultimately suffers from over using the very techniques that make it so interesting.
Carlos, played by the dashing and brooding Antonio de la Torre, is the most respected tailor in Granada. He is a quiet and mysterious man, with a taste for human flesh and cold-blooded murder. He has no problem killing, until the sister of one of his victims arrives and sparks something in him.
Antonio plays the part of monster brilliantly; an engaging and disturbing character. Olimpia Melinte, who plays both sisters, also shines. She manages to make each of her characters subtly different, one bubbly and provocative and the other more subdued and loving. A bit more could have been done to separate the two however, as the dyeing of hair doesn’t really cut it.
Cannibal is dark not just in its subject matter, but in the sense of photography as well. The cinematographer and director have obviously put a lot of thought into how to use light and shadow to hide facts and add suspense. There are parts in which it’s just too dark but, in general, the cinematography in this film is quite something. It may not be spectacular, but it’s the subtle experimentation with shots that make this movie worth watching.
It is unfortunate, however, that Cannibal feels so empty, with an over-emphasis on minimalism and starkness. Although long scenes of pure silence and harsh expression can convey a lot of emotion and tension, Cannibal really over uses them. Some scenes are twice as long as they should be, and some have no point at all, making the movie a bit of a tedious slog. Don’t get me wrong though, it is quite effective. There are a few scenes that are just so suspenseful you can’t take your eyes away.
Cannibal does employ interesting imagery and symbolism without going over-the-top. It manages to be almost cruelly gory without showing much at all. It’s impressive when a movie can show you nothing more than a man cutting through cloth and still make you cringe. Thanks to this movie, you’ll probably never look at raw meat the same way again.
While Cannibal is a beautifully shot and well-written character study, it fails to be a very exciting movie. Sure, it’s suspenseful, but it’s not much of a thriller. Those expecting lots of blood and guts may be disappointed but you can still expect a simple, classy and evocative piece of cinema.
Reviewed by James Rudd
Rating out of 10: 5
Cannibal screens 18 May 2014 as part of the 17th annual Spanish Film Festival, exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
