Behind the Cross – 2012
The plot or storyline of Behind the Cross is really too hard to put down in words, so I won’t even try to capture it in a few sentences. Instead, I’ll incorporate as much as I can in the text below. I don’t think there’s one straight storyline that’s told here anyway, and I think the viewer brings lots of him- or herself into it. If you really want this to be about a straightforward serial killer. Then I guess it could be. On the other hand, you can probably interpret some childhood issues into it (as I did).
Religion and Pedophilia
There are most definitely religious aspects here too. That’s probably the hardest bit to comprehend for a straightforward viewer – religion and violence. For someone like me (and probably most of those who’ll read this), who have seen countless violent and controversial flicks, it’s not a big deal. I rather like it when the two subjects are connected to each other like in an oxymoron. What’s really going on behind the cross?
These days there’s been so much shocking news about the Catholic Church and pedophilia that it’s not even shocking anymore. We have come to think it’s the new normal. So we really need something like this to come and question it all. I guess this film takes it a bit further than a mainstream film would, but I say it’s necessary! I don’t think it necessarily had to be so hard to understand, but on the other hand, flicks that don’t give you an easy answer right away are almost always preferable over those that do!
Technical aspects
The technical aspects of Behind the Cross are very good! During the opening and closing sequences, it’s almost like a music video being played. It does not hurt to be a fan of brutal metal either I guess. It’s a kind of music that usually doesn’t appear in mainstream cinema. It seems more or less exclusive to art-house and experimental films. Or hardcore violent films of course.
I love the concept! The only downside of it for me was the acting which doesn’t hold up to the high standards of the “behind the camera” stuff. I realize that it must be hard to write, direct, produce, and act in the movie of course. You just can’t be as talented in all areas; sometimes it might be better to choose what you are best at! But on the other hand, most of the small parts – girls in captivity and stuff like that, are really good and convincing!
I don’t know what to tell you more. I found it quite good as a whole, and I’d gladly recommend it to anyone who can take the religion/violence combination. And as an extra teaser, I’ll give one scene away (sort of). You have to be pretty desperate to jerk off while grabbing a mannequin’s breasts…
