Im Keller (2014) Reviews

• Powerful, controversial movie

  andychrist272015-02-05

  Another fine effort from Ulrich Seidl, #1 troll director in Europe. This film shows us what Austrians do in their basements (no, Josef Fritzl doesn't appear). Not sure about the documentary element as surely there was lots of director's influence in many scenes...although the people were apparently real and not hired actors. Several memorable characters such as the S/M couple where the man is a full-time sex slave of her wife. Then there's a subdued middle-aged fascist who has a Nazi museum in his basement where he holds drinking sessions with similarly-minded band buddies. Then there's a middle-aged woman who works at Caritas, stabbed his abusive husband to death and likes to be caned. The friends I watched this movie with were all grossed out because there was lots of hardcore S/M stuff, penises and vaginae in full view etc. I found it a very engaging and entertaining movie though...it consciously provoked the viewer to make judgments over those people and narrow-minded viewers (including the political correctness crowd) probably did just that. But there was a very strong humanist element behind all this.

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• Left me speechless and thinking...

  mechanicalme2014-12-11

  Saw this movie in an International movie festival, while it sounded very unexpected - it really was. Seeing many people leaving before the end kept me thinking about how long am I going to survive in this madness which is actually happening in Austrian basements. While some of it I could take with humor and actually smile about the old generations habits and being just a little naive for their age and location. Few characters left me wondering - why the hell its not illegal in Austria to be a completely brainless person ? From the other side - a complete mind opener about the society we live in where everything is allowed and no morals exist beyond and past your basement or private property.

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• The Edge of Reality

  jupiter3032017-07-29

  If you aren't familiar with Ulrich Seidl's work than this may not be the film you should start with. I am a big fan of course, so I may be biased. What I love about his work is probably what many people don't like. You're never too sure if what he is showing is reality or something he created. Some of his films are real documentary and some of them are fiction. But which is which? They all feel similar and all have a similar tone. They are psychological and deep, they leave you wondering about different life situations (Bukowski fans take note). "Wonder", this was the original intent of cinema, to leave an audience wondering. But a simple Buster Keaton film won't do the trick anymore and if CGI and explosions are your thing, Seidl won't be your thing either. This brings us to the "actors" and this is where Seidl is making art. No big name actors, not even expensive actors, but the reality is there, it sucks you in piece by piece. Where does he find these people? That alone is an incredible talent, if they aren't actors in the traditional sense of the word. Each one is a deep character unto themselves. Are they actors or are they real people? You'll get dizzy thinking about it. I recommend starting with "Import / Export" or "Models", then you'll know if Seidl is your thing. If you have a hard time with some of the off-beat realities of real life, or a hard life, you should look elsewhere. It's not horror, but is a bit of shock. I'm grateful for Seidl because very little cinema moves me anymore in the way that he does. I hope he never stops. This is art house cinema for the modern age folks. 8 out of 10 stars plus another because it's Seidl.

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• Condescension out of the Director's Basement

  christophspielberger2015-08-10

  The basic approach of the film is interesting: the basement as the place of secrets, of things, that are not acted out, even of the unconscious. Well, Mr. Seidl was born in Vienna after all. But what he offers is a rather bulky version of Freudian patterns. Mr. Seidl's choice of people, that foster their hobbies in their basements tells more about himself than his exhibits. From a universe of people and their interests, he is very keen on absurd sex, compulsiveness, with guns, puppets and politics, and more absurd sex. His sex thing makes him break the basic requirement of the film, as he interviews one of his exhibits extensively in her flat. Did I mention absurd sex? Right from the start, he makes it clear, that the people he shows are his material to expose the character of his fellow Austrians. For Mr. Seidl, it is all still 1933, with a scent of anal plugs. His images are very artificial, like simulated. Humour is absent an joy comes by mistake, with heavy drinking. His exhibits look like persuaded in showing it all. It wouldn't be that bad, if he would treat his protagonists friendly, like human beings. But his view upon them is cold, almost sadistic. There, he proves to be a follower of the Haneke school. The basement becomes a societal residue for low lives. Do expect a lot of revulsion, this is a pornographic documentary, not a documentary porn movie. In the American view, this may be inspirational for Tarrantino, in the European one, it shows, that the people that still suffer the most by psychoanalysis and the Third Reich, are some directors, who try to capitalize on this - the Bernhards, Jelineks, Hanekes and Seidls of this world. No need to suffer with them.

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• It ruined my fantasy!

  Hellmant2016-01-22

  'IN THE BASEMENT': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five) An Austrian documentary flick; about people, hanging out in their basements, and giving into very perverse obsessions (and demented fetishes). The movie was directed by Ulrich Seidl, and it was written by Seidl and Veronika Franz. I had a chance to see it at at the OSU International Film Festival (at the Darkside Cinema, in Corvallis, OR), but I missed it. I instead recently caught it on Netflix; and I almost wish I hadn't. The film starts out somewhat normal; as it just follows odd people around, doing strange things in their basements. As it goes on, though, the documentary gets weirder and weirder. I wanted to stop watching it, several times, but persisted (so I could do this review). It's only 82 minutes long, but it seems a lot longer (and it's a very painful 82 minutes)! The movie is one of those films, I really wish I could unwatch. It's one of the most disturbing experiences, I've ever had (watching a film of any kind); and I love movies! I also thought I liked domineering women (and femdom fantasy), but I realize (after watching this documentary), that the real thing is definitely not for me (maybe just in role-play). Which is another reason I wish I could 'unwatch' this movie; it ruined my fantasy for me (at least for the time being)! It's well made, and serves it's purpose 'very effectively' though; at being a completely 'F'd up' film! Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://vimeo.com/152789677

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