8/10
Reviewed with Das Verlangen Der Maria D as a double feature
13 November 2022
'Dead Centre of Desire' has been widely interpreted and various reviewers have alluded to Maria D being a play on the Marian Dora (and variations thereof) nom du plume. This might be taking things a bit too far as Dora tends to focus on a psychological aspect / defect of the human "animal". Unlike Melancholia der Engel and in keeping with most of his films neither 'Dead Centre of Desire' nor 'Blight of Humanity' presents themselves as complex cinematic works. The films are in esse someone holding up a camera (well someone who really knows how to get exceptional angles out of an SLR or mobile phone) to a scenario. Time is not wasted on creating a backstory or developing complex characters. The focus is on a scenario which will confront more than entertain. ''Dead Centre of Desire' does have a very distinct atmosphere and a more, dare I say, complex storyline than 'Blight of Humanity'. Dora wrote basic accompanying music which works well with the pace of 'Dead Centre'. The inside ('Dead Centre') vs Outside ('Blight') juxta positioning of the films is very interesting, and the detailed cinematography associated therewith rather beautiful. The raw violent third acts are also shared, but obviously the "human" condition which plays out, plays out consequently to different mental conditions. The films are true underground cinema, true Dora and as such not intended for all audiences. 8/10.
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