Dogtooth

Dogtooth, released in 2009, is a masterful Greek film that weaves together themes of control, rebellion, and the potentially destructive effects of an insular upbringing. The film is dircted by Yorgos Lanthimos, now internationally acclaimed for his distinct cinematic style, and features a captivating performance by the ensemble cast, including Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, and Angeliki Papoulia. The movie is in Greek language but subtitled in English for non-native viewers.

The film's crux revolves around a married couple who live in a secluded, fenced-off suburban home to raise their three adult children. Their father, played by Christos Stergioglou, is the only person allowed to exit the premises. Embracing a deeply protective yet peculiar form of parenting, he uses this isolation to manipulate their sense of the world, teaching them incorrect explanations and meanings of everyday things. The children, devoid of any outside interactions, believe in these absurd explanations, taking everything at face value as they don’t know anything beyond the confinements of their home.

Papoulia plays the eldest daughter, who, despite the innocent façade, slowly begins to question the fabrications she has been spoon-fed by her parents all her life. Michele Valley delivers a chilling performance as the complicit mother who goes along with her husband's bizarre form of parenting.

One critical aspect of Dogtooth is its pervasive undercurrent of dark humour that adds a layer of complexity to the primarily disturbing narrative. Despite the overarching theme of extreme parental control, Lanthimos effectively uses dry comedy to spark occasional laughter, providing a bizarre sense of pleasure in the ordeal.

The set design plays a crucial role in the movie. Instead of a bleak setting, the movie unfolds in a setting where you'd hardly expect such a narrative—an idyllic house surrounded by a lush garden, evoking imagery of a traditional family home. This stark contrast between the pleasant exterior and the strange happenings inside the house adds to the unsettling ambience.

Yorgos Lanthimos skillfully uses silence and visuals to tell a story that is both disturbing and intriguing. The camera work is exquisite, with a static documentary-like shooting style that captures the disillusioned and claustrophobic family life in raw detail. Lanthimos exploits this cinematic space to its fullest, using natural light and shadows to create a unique, ominous atmosphere.

The sound design is just as impressive. The movie excels with its disconcerting silence, where unspoken dialogues tell a story of their own, whilst the use of minimal yet effective music underscores the tension and suspense, contributing to the eerie atmosphere palpable throughout the film.

The narrative structure of Dogtooth moves away from a traditional linear format. Lanthimos presents the world in a fragmented, disjointed style, mirroring the carefully constructed alternate reality inside the idyllic family home. This allows viewers to gradually piece together this strange world, compelling them to question and re-evaluate the nature of family, control, and freedom.

Dogtooth is allegorical, navigating dark themes and societal discourse that transcend the literal narrative. It challenges our understanding of parent-child relationships, societal norms, control mechanisms, and freedom, often leaving more questions than answers.

However, it is to be noted that the movie contains violence and sexual content, which some viewers might find unsettling. The film is not intended for sensitive viewers and is strictly advised against underage viewership without adult supervision.

This film showcases the groundbreaking artistry of Lanthimos before he stepped into English-language cinema. With Dogtooth, Lanthimos made his mark as one of the most original voices in modern cinema, an impression he has continuously reaffirmed with his subsequent works. This is a must-watch film for those who are intrigued by alternative cinema and appreciate movies that challenge traditional storytelling norms.

Although Dogtooth is certainly not a film for everyone, it bravely takes on a unique narrative that pushes the boundaries of conventional cinema. It stays with you long after the credits roll, compelling you to ponder on the story and the themes it explored. For audiences interested in a challenging watch that is both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling, Dogtooth is definitely worth the time.