If you’re a big fan of horror films, you probably think you can handle any level of gore, torture, or scary scenes. You might not mind jump scares and can stomach any amount of blood or guts on screen.
But even the toughest horror fan might find it hard to watch A Serbian Film all the way through. This film is so disturbing that it’s tough to handle, even for hardcore fans. If you haven’t seen it, you might want to keep it that way.
A Serbian Film was made in 2010 by director Srdjan Spasojevic to show his feelings about political correctness in a twisted way, he told IndieWire. The movie is about Milos (Srdjan Todorovic), an older porn star who agrees to be in an art film directed by a small-time porn director, Vukmir (Sergej Trifunović), to support his family.
The project promises lifelong financial security, so Milos takes the job, hoping to leave the porn industry behind. But the film turns out to be much darker than expected, going beyond an X-rating and entering a disturbing realm.
What is A Serbian Film About?
The film includes scenes of necrophilia and pedophilia. Milos signs a deal that forces him to participate in horrific scenes, no matter how extreme they get. Vukmir, a former psychologist and state security worker, uses his skills to control and torture Milos as the scenes get worse.
One of the most horrifying scenes shows Milos and a masked man — later revealed to be his cruel brother Marko (Slobodan Beštić) — assaulting two people under a sheet. It turns out that Marko is attacking Milos’ wife, and Milos is assaulting his own six-year-old son.
The movie ends with Milos taking his own life and the lives of his wife, Marija (Jelena Gavrilović), and son, Petar. The film ends with the three of them lying together while a film crew instructs someone to “start with the little one.”
The director said he made this film to reflect his views on the political situation in Serbia. In an IndieWire interview, Spasojevic explains that he sees Serbian television stars as politicians driven by money, power, and fame. He made the film from his gut, expressing his feelings about the wars and political issues in Serbia.
The film shows how economic struggles and war can force people into extreme actions for survival. Vukmir represents the corruption of those who should resist corruption, now using his position to exploit others for entertainment while calling it “art.”
Serbia faced tough economic times in the late 2000s and 2010s, including a major crisis in 2008, just before the film was made. Milos symbolizes the impact of war on people, especially financially, showing how it pushes people to do desperate things.
Vukmir represents the corruption of people who should be fighting against it, using his past roles to inflict pain and suffering under the guise of art.
In a 2018 interview with Morbidly Beautiful, Spasojevic even mentioned that the film now seems “soft” compared to other extreme content. He believes that the film speaks a language Americans can understand. However, the response shows that not everyone gets this message.
A Serbian Film has become known for its disturbing content rather than its political message. Fans of extreme horror might appreciate it, but others may find it too much to handle. Films like Salo, 120 Days of Sodom, and the August Underground trilogy offer similar levels of shock but with different approaches.
The first US screening of A Serbian Film was at the South by Southwest festival in March 2010, where it shocked and appalled audiences. Some people find it brilliant, like Tim League from Fantastic Fest, who thinks it’s a great film for those interested in dark and disturbing content.
However, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) required 49 cuts, totaling almost four minutes, to give the film an NC-17 rating. This is less than the five minutes and 44 seconds required for Cannibal Holocaust to get an 18 rating in 2001.
The BBFC reviewed the film because it was going to be shown at the London Fright Fest. Normally, Fright Fest doesn’t need films reviewed beforehand, but because of the rumors about A Serbian Film, it was necessary. Many cuts were due to sexual violence, particularly against children.
Despite the cuts, the festival decided not to show the film if it was censored. The event’s co-director, Ian Jones, believed the film should be shown as the director intended. The BBFC received complaints both for allowing the film with cuts and for making any cuts at all. The scenes removed were likely even more shocking than what remained.
Ironically, A Serbian Film was censored despite its political commentary. Salo, which also shows extreme content, was given an 18 rating by the BBFC with no cuts because of its political and historical context.
A Serbian Film was cut to preserve its themes while removing the most graphic content. This raises questions about what constitutes valid political commentary and how far is too far to make a point.
A Serbian Film is one of the most banned horror films ever, with bans in 46 countries, including Spain, Australia, and Malaysia.
The film’s disturbing nature has earned it a reputation as a cult film and an urban legend among horror fans. Even though it is available to stream on Vudu in the U.S., it’s worth considering whether you really want to watch it.
