Sometimes during All Hallows, you need to pull a little bit of something delicious. Maybe a bite of something tasty and tender. You know what they say, the devil likes his lunch bloodied and red. This devilish film, that moves the unexpected human cost of family into a modern horror space, is not only one of the best films to come out of the French cinema in a generation, it is also a deeply unexpected slice of flesh eating shockery that will ascend any comfortable Halloween tradition of drinks, tricks, treats and nibbles…
7 – RAW (SECOND SIGHT)
WHATS IT ABOUT?
Two sisters are both at Veterinary school. Strict vegetarian Justine is younger and just arrived, she faces a merciless onslaught of hazing rituals. Her sister, the elder is one of those subjecting her to it. One of these rituals is the eating of raw meat. Justine says no but the need to fit in means she can’t refuse. This opens up doors. This taste of flesh, this bloodied grit, this tender muscle, is not only against her principles but awakens an uncontrollable craving with horrific consequences.
WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT FOR HALLOWEEN?
RAW offers the audience something quite nuanced. It is not a rare thing in horror cinema to have substance but here it has, well real bite… Sibling rivalry, Gender as weapon, coming of age, cannibalistic intent driving dominance in the young, over the old. These all underpin this carefully paced, intelligent drama that, at the right point, explodes into a stomach turning, face covering, shock inducing song. The most profound scene though, top and tail the film. We are presented with a family that had an extremely troubled genetic predisposition in a very casual and almost revealing way.
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR?
Second Sight have produced a great disc of extra content for the viewer to sink their…well, teeth into. The extras are best when they connect with those who worked on or dealt with the films creation. The best is the Q&A with Julia Ducournau and Kier-La Janisse produces some of the most insightful content on the film and its subtext. Alternative opening and the deleted scenes are really good, if you like me, have been here before and are eager to go back to the film anew. One scene in particular should have been in the film, I was rather surprised it failed to make the cut.
Special Features
- The Girl Can’t Help It: a new interview with Actor Garance Marillier
- Making Ends Meat: a new interview with Producer Jean des Forets
- New audio commentary by film critic Alexandra West
- Audio Commentary with Julia Ducournau and film critic Emma Westwood
- In the Name of Raw: an interview with Director Julia Ducournau
- A Family Affair: a new video essay by film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Raw À Votre Goût –featurette with Julia Ducournau & film critic Emma Westwood
- Quick Bites with Julia Ducournau & film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Genre Matters Panel Discussion
- Australian Premiere Introduction
- Australian Premiere Q&A with Julia Ducournau and Kier-La Janisse
- Alternative opening, deleted scenes, trailers
- New optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired
Limited Edition Contents
- Rigid slipcase
- Perfect-bound booklet with new essays by Hannah Woodhead and Emma Westwood plus interview with Julia Ducournau by Lou Thomas
- 3 collectors’ art cards
- 4th art card exclusive to Second Sight store customers whilst stocks last
https://secondsightfilms.co.uk/products/raw-limited-edition-pre-order-available-8th-february-2021
