The Butcher's Son (La Soga) reviews
Review by on 27 Sep 2010
Perhaps too derivative, but impressive visuals and strong sense of atmosphere ensured it was a successful film
Review by on 26 Sep 2010
Luisito, the butcher's boy, naively joins the pigs to avenge his murdered father - but finds himself at the true heart of the corruption. Dominican TV sex symbol Manny Perez is the writer and star of THE BUTCHER’S SON, a film which exposes third world violence and exploitation by drawing on Perez’s personal experiences. As Luisito, Perez lets the porcine squealing and scenes of slaughter wash over him with inscrutable determination. The stomach flipping camera tilts and dazzling displays of broken glass, combined with the relentlessly boisterous soundtrack, are at times overwhelming. Perez's experience in shows such as LAW AND ORDER and CSI:MIAMI are a clear and heavy influence, although he prefers to be recognised for his humanitarian work.
Perez has lived in the same apartment in Washington Heights for 15 years - he feels that if he uproots, he will lose his muse. For all his stylised cop show glamour, Perez prides himself on his authenticity. This might not be apparent from THE BUTCHER’S SON’s gaudy, slick execution - the film has widely been denigrated as shallow and melodramatic - but the film’s frenetic energy owes as much to Perez's genuine passion for storytelling as it does to his emulation of similar films such as AMORES PERROS and CITY OF GOD. Like it or not, it's arguably the most three dimensional and purposeful film to emerge from the Dominican Republic for decades - and if it inspires greater works then we can forgive THE BUTCHER’S SON a slo-mo blood spurt or two.
Rosy Hunt
Perez has lived in the same apartment in Washington Heights for 15 years - he feels that if he uproots, he will lose his muse. For all his stylised cop show glamour, Perez prides himself on his authenticity. This might not be apparent from THE BUTCHER’S SON’s gaudy, slick execution - the film has widely been denigrated as shallow and melodramatic - but the film’s frenetic energy owes as much to Perez's genuine passion for storytelling as it does to his emulation of similar films such as AMORES PERROS and CITY OF GOD. Like it or not, it's arguably the most three dimensional and purposeful film to emerge from the Dominican Republic for decades - and if it inspires greater works then we can forgive THE BUTCHER’S SON a slo-mo blood spurt or two.
Rosy Hunt
Review by on 25 Sep 2010
Immense
Film details
The Butcher's Son (La Soga)
Director: Josh Crook
Dominican Republic, 2010.
103 mins. with English subtitles.
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