With the vast amount of quality English-speaking Horror films out there, it is easy to forget that other countries also make excellent Horror movies. The latest release of Der Samurai (aka The Samurai), by Schattenkante Film and Deutsche Film – und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB) reminds viewers to keep an open mind in this regard. Filmed in Bernie and Brandenburg Germany, and set in modern day, Der Samurai was written and directed by Till Kleinert, who has written and directed a number of feature films including The Longest Night (2009). While it shares similarities with such films as The Crying Game (1992) and Vanilla Sky (2001), it certainly paves its own way.
- Still from Der Samurai
In a remote and isolated German town, young policeman Jakob (Michel Dirercks: In waller Freundschaft 2015, Stille 2014) struggles to find acceptance with his peers, including boss Hovath (Uwe Preuss: Der Nachtmahr 2015, Nachspielzeit 2015) and local townsfolk, despite being diligent and capable at his job. One of the problems with living in a small town is there are not many outlets for young people, which in turn means they often create disturbances and nuisance behavior. There is enough of that going on that Jakob must deal with, but there is also a number of wolves that roam the woods surrounding the town, and are likely linked to many recent and past dog killings. As a strategy to keep the wolves at bay, Jakob hangs bags of meat in the woods to deter them from coming closer. The townspeople do not seem to understand Jakob’s motives and openly question his methods.
- Still from Der Samurai
Undeterred by this, Jakob continues his daily routines until one evening he receives a plain wrapped package delivered to him at work and addressed to “The Lone Wolf.” Unquestionably, he takes the package home where he lives with and cares for his elderly grandmother. Jakob has a lot on his plate and almost forgets about the package he received earlier until another one turns up at his home. Shortly thereafter, he receives a phone call from a mysterious man who goes on to tell Jakob the packages are his and Jakob is to deliver them to him. Jakob goes to meet the man, only known as Der Samurai (Pit Bukowski: Der Staatsanwalt 2015, Coke Champagne & Cigarettes 2015), and deliver the packages. Der Samurai’s voice sounds eerily like the demon from the Exorcist (1973), and whom Jakob initially mistakes for a woman. Their meeting acts as an explosive catalyst for a series of bizarre and unusual events that cover the remainder of the story. Quickly, Jakob’s evening takes a turn for the bizarre when it becomes clear Der Samurai has a dark agenda, and Jakob is along for the ride.
Using a Samurai sword, Der Samurai slashes his way through the town, not stopping for anyone or anything, except occasionally Jakob. No one, or nothing, is safe from his wrath. As Jakob follows Der Samurai and attempts to stop the madness, it becomes clear there is something much bigger in the town to worry about than wolves and dog attacks. What is it, and how is it tied to Jakob and Der Samurai? Scene by scene, the action and tension build towards a climactic and bloody end. Der Samurai delves deep inside a troubled psychotic mind, peeling back the bloody layers to reveal an evil so terrifying, it makes the truth even scarier. But whose mind is it?
- Still from Der Samuari
There are a number of different camera techniques used within the film that creates an unusual backdrop for a solid storyline. Plenty of twists and turns keep the viewer intrigued and wondering what will happen next. Often strange and frequently surreal, Der Samurai challenges the viewer, pushing the envelope of reality to the very edge, and ripping it back again. It is raw, visceral, and often extreme, but it is also dark, edgy, and gritty. The special effects are well done and seamlessly blend into the dreamlike state the cinematographer, Martin Hansimayr (Boys Village 2011, Bergwelten 2014), effortlessly achieved. Some scenes can be confusing, but they all tie together eventually. It is not full length, and at seventy-nine minutes, it is a film that the viewer must watch right up until the end, and perhaps more than once. First premiering in the USA back in March Boston Underground Film Festival, the film will get an official DVD/Blu-ray release via Artsploitation Films on June 9th. Well-acted by a diverse cast, with plenty of blood and gore, CrypticRock gives Der Samurai 4 out 5 stars.
- Artsploitation Films
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